EUGENE, OREGON – Achoo.

It’s a sound you will hear a lot of here at the U.S. Olympic Trials from the press box to the track.

Grass pollen has invaded the city of Eugene, leaving visitors and athletes with stuffy noses and watery eyes.

According to pollen.com, Eugene, Oregon on Friday had the highest pollen levels anywhere in the United States.

More importantly, it could have a serious impact on athletes competing for the Olympics.

A study on elite asthmatic athletes showed that a 5 percent drop in lung capacity can make the difference between winning or dropping out of a race, Eugene allergist Kraig Jacobson said. Yet asthmatics must show a 15 percent drop to qualify for a medication exemption under rules of the International Association of Athletics Federation, he said. 

Olympic legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee wore a mask during a competition at Hayward Field in the mid-90s.

Now, if Jackie Joyner Kersee was breaking out the Michael Jackson mask, you know it has to be bad.

EUGENE, OREGON – Welcome to Track Town, USA.

BET.com is live at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials  on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene.

This is the main event for the track and field community boys and girls before the 2008 Summer Olympics kicks off on August 8.

Nicknamed Track Town USA, Hayward Field is the most famous and storied track and field venue in the country.

The biggest names in track and field will be competing in Eugene and Allyson Felix kicked things off earlier this afternoon in the women’s 100 meters.

Felix ran the third fastest qualifying time in the preliminaries, running a 11.01.

Marshevet Hooker (10.94) and Muna Lee (11.00) ran the two fastest times in the 100 meters, easily advancing to tonight’s quarterfinal.

Check back all weekend for live coverage from Track Town, USA.