EUGENE, Ore. — Ariana Washington was packing the last few items into her suitcase earlier this week when reality hit her.
On Wednesday, Washington departed along with her teammate Deajah Stevens for USA Track and Field's Pre-Olympic Training Camp, held in Texas. Wednesday of next week, they will depart for Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, site of the 2016 Olympic Summer Games.
As she stuffed her suitcase Sunday night in preparation for the trip, Washington began to process the whirlwind adventure that awaits.
"It's starting to sink in just a little bit," Washington said Monday at Hayward Field, where she was about to endure one of her final workouts in Eugene before heading to Texas.