The U.S. Olympic Track and Field trials concluded last week in Eugene, Oregon, and they were an exciting ten days for an avid fan of the sport. However, if you don't follow track and field closely, like most Americans, you probably didn't even realize the extraordinary feats of athleticism that were taking place in what has been dubbed "Tracktown USA." As a track athlete, it is easy for me to be inspired and entertained while watching others run, jump, and throw at the highest level of competition, but there are several compelling reasons for anyone to get hooked on one of the oldest sports contested at the Olympic Games.

1. Diversity of winning countries

Unlike some sports in which the same two or three countries dominate each year, there is a wide range represented on the podium each year in track and field. In London, powerhouses like the United States and Jamaica took home medals, but so did Iran, Estonia, Guatemala, Hungary, Ukraine, Uganda, Bahrain, and Kazakhstan, to name a few.

2. Diversity of athletes

The huge variety of events contested in track and field are reflected in the different body types of the athletes competing in them. Whether they are linemen-esque shot-putters or lean distance runners, they show that there are many ways to be strong and powerful.

3. It's intense

While the concept of "perform well in this moment or be eliminated" is not unique to track and field, the fact that your fate can be decided in just a matter of seconds is. In a race, a bad start, unlucky fall, or a momentary lapse of concentration leading to a tactical error can break everything an athlete has been working toward for years.

4. You are guaranteed to see the best

Since the conclusion of the 2012 Games, there have been 13 new American records and 6 new world records set. Team USA will be bringing the heat to Rio, as world record holder Ashton Eaton and American record holders Evan Jager, Emma Coburn, Chaunté Lowe, Michelle Carter, Galen Rupp, Keturah Orji, Bernard Lagat, Christian Taylor, and Jenn Suhr have all qualified in their respective events.

5. Underdogs prevail

There are accounts of athletes overcoming the odds in every sport, but in track and field, it sometimes seems like those stories are the norm. The U.S. will be represented by Emily Infeld, whose second place finish in the trials 10k was her first race of the season due to injury struggles, Courtney Frerichs, who never raced in a high school state meet because she focused on gymnastics and soccer instead, and Boris Berian, who was working at McDonald's just two years ago.

6. The titles

You can see the World's Fastest Man and Woman crowned (titles designated to the victors in the 100m dash), and watch American Ashton Eaton defend his World's Greatest Athlete status in the decathlon (ten events in just two days).

7. The high-stakes relays

Which country has the best sprinters in the world? The U.S.? Jamaica? Some other team? Relays are intense, and they satisfy viewers who are more accustomed to watching team sports. The timing and precision of the hand-offs are crucial, as fractions of seconds can determine the outcome.

8. Usually little controversy

In track and field, there are no referees to make questionable calls or judges to give their opinion on form or execution. While the sport is not immune to scandals or controversy, the winners and losers are normally decided by the unbiased timing systems and measuring tapes.

9. The athletes are relatable

Unfortunately, there is not a lot of money to be made in track and field. According to the Track and Field Athletes Association, about half of the athletes who rank in the top in their event nationally make less than $15,000 a year. Most track and field athletes could probably walk through an airport an remain relatively unnoticed. Some are in the process of pursuing a degree or work at a second job in addition to training for the Olympics. Without the fame and fortune that comes with other sports, it seems like most track and field athletes are very humble and down to earth.

10. The strategy

Most people assume that track and field is simple: you just go out there and run as fast, throw as far, or jump as high or as far as you possibly can. However, in distance races especially, there is a lot of strategy involved. In many championship scenarios, the athletes will not push the pace in the earlier stages of the race, but will sprint like crazy when the bell sounds for the final lap. Runners have to decide when to make their move, and have to position themselves correctly in order to be ready when the pace starts to quicken.

And finally, last but not least:

11. The crazy events

Because where else are you going to see someone use a pole to catapult themselves over a bar that is more than 19 feet above the ground, or run almost two miles while jumping over barriers and into water?