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.

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