EUGENE, Oregon – As part of the official schedule of the 2024 Trials, USATF, the United States track and field federation, dutifully staged 20-kilometer race walks for both men and women Saturday morning, and three men and three women finished 1-2-3 in each race and none stands much of a chance to go to Paris for the Olympics, and what are we doing here?

The third-place finisher on the women’s side Saturday is 58 years old, Michelle Rohl, mother of five, grandmother of one. She competed in the Olympics in 1992, 1996 and 2000. Allen James, who competed in the Games in 1992 and 1996, finished 14th Saturday in the men’s race. He is 60.