Canadian Olympic hammer throw champs part of star-studded lineup for 50th Prefontaine Classic

This year's Prefontaine Classic features a lineup befitting a milestone for the iconic track and field meet.

Saturday marks the 50th edition of prestigious event on the University of Oregon campus, which carries the name of the late Steve Prefontaine, an American collegiate runner who never won an Olympic or world championship medal, but who left an indelible mark on his sport before dying in a car crash at age 24.

Read more about the history of the meet in this story by Scott Russell.

Several Olympic and world champions will compete in Saturday's event at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., and that includes Canadian hammer throwers Camryn Rogers and Ethan Katzberg. You can watch live coverage of the event, available on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem at 4 p.m. ET.

Rogers is well acquainted with Hayward Field, having competed there several times before and during her collegiate career.

It was also the venue where the 26-year-old from Richmond, B.C. broke the Diamond League women's hammer throw record in 2024. Rogers also collected a a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships when Eugene hosted in 2022.

"I just love the stadium. I love the energy it carries. The 'Hayward Magic' is totally real, I am a full believer in that," Rogers said. "Knowing that there's going to be a very high level of competition makes it all the more exciting because it really motivates you to be there and be your best self on the day.

"I think it'll be a lot of fun, and it's a renowned meet for a reason. It brings in the best of the best. It attracts some of the biggest track fans in the world and is just an exciting place to be in. I can't wait."

Rogers is the top-ranked hammer thrower in the world, but she'll face a stiff test from a pair of