If you ask Luke, I've been glued to the TV for the past two weeks, drinking in that spectacular event that is the Summer Olympics. It's true, I love the summer games. I'm not quite sure what the draw is, all I know is that every four years, I can't get enough of swimming and gymnastics, among other things. But of course, those were my two main draws this year. I was ALL ABOUT the swimming...and not because of Michael Phelps. We've had too much of a good thing with him and I feel like if he disappeared for a little while it wouldn't be such a bad thing. But aside from Phelps Mania, the swimming was great entertainment, I thought. Lots of action, lots of records broken, and I could watch Ryan Lochte paddle around a kiddie pool and it would still be acceptable programming for me! I was all over the gymnastics as well, but now that I am older and undeniably wiser than I was in 1992 when I first started watching those little pixie chicks, I actually felt more sorry for them than glad about their awesome performance.
So here in the second week, I have been less occupied with watching every single second of primetime NBC, but my thoughts did wander to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta 12 years ago, and I had to get out my scrapbook and reminisce. That summer, I had the extreme good fortune of NOT being picked to dance at the Opening Ceremonies. I had submitted my resume and tried out, but was not chosen to be a performer for one of the many dance numbers. But on my resume, I had noted that I was a high school cheerleader and got a call back to audition to be an "audience leader". I had no idea what that meant, but I was game for anything that would make me a part of it. Little did I know what a great part it would be! It turned out the audience leaders were just that...people assigned to a section of the audience at the Opening Ceremonies who would guide the spectators during a few key parts of the show in which the audience was to play a part of the program. I was especially grateful for my part when I learned that the dancers and other performers would be holed up at the Georgia Dome and would only be shuttled in for their numbers. Meanwhile, I had relatively easy work--there were just a few short moments where I had an actual job to do--and the rest of the time I was free to sit and watch. It was great! I had a field-level seat and met lots of people from all over the world. I remember sitting next to this one guy who kept saying he had to use the bathroom, but I kept telling him to stay and watch the next number, having seen them all numerous times at rehearsals. I didn't want him to miss out. Finally he couldn't hold it any longer and went anyway--even though I told him not to...BUT when he came back, he was like "I just met Carl Lewis waiting in line for the bathroom!!!!" I couldn't believe it! One other memory I have was when the United States athletes came out during the Parade of Nations, I couldn't believe how many there were. It took forever to get them into their spot on the field, which just happened to be right in front of my section. I kept trying to spot famous athletes in the crowd, but it was just a massive sea of faces, too dense to see anyone...except one. Way out in the middle, standing head and shoulders above everyone else, was Shaquille O'Neal. That was pretty cool. It was a great night in general, but I didn't get pictures during the show...
However, two weeks later at the Closing Ceremonies, I had even less to do and was able to get LOTS of pictures. That night was where I really hit the jackpot! My section was one of the ones designated to seat the athletes during the show, and I got unbelievably lucky and had the USA team sitting with me! On top of that, the ones who were sitting there were...wait for it...the swimmers!!!! They were super-nice and I hung out the whole night with Tripp Schwenk and John Hargis, who were both SEC swimmers and gold and silver medalists at the games.
I also hung out with Ray, who's last name I can't remember at all, but he was nice also. He introduced me to Jenny Thompson, a major factor on the team that year, and also four years before in Barcelona. That was cool because in '92 my mom and I traveled to Connecticut together and I remember watching Jenny's race from our hotel room. Anyway, here she is in a random 7-Eleven hat, with Ray and me.
Also in my section was Kerri Strug, who--in case you were living under a rock and don't know--was the hero of the games. She was nice to take a picture with me, but I was really kinda freaked out by her size and her super-squeaky voice.
At one point in the show, the athletes got tired of sitting and stormed the field--and I think that moment kind of set the precedent for all future closing ceremonies. Now they actually start out on the field instead of in the stands. Anyway, I stayed back because I thought it was kind of a moment for the athletes, but Tripp and John came back to get me, so I was able to join the party after all. It was mayhem on the field, but in such a great way. Tripp introduced me to Beth Botsford, another swimming gold-medalist.
Me with Tripp and John...we were all out on the field for the rest of the show...
I also met Amanda Beard, who was at her first Olympics, only 14 years old. She made headlines by winning a silver-medal with her teddy bear waiting for her on the blocks. Now she makes headlines in a different way...ahem...
I have so many pictures from being on the field, I could never include them all. Everyone was in such high spirits, all you had to do was smile and they were ready to jump in front of the camera. One rower from Britain asked me to marry him. His name was Ivan. Then he signed the back of my dorky uniform vest "To my wife, Love Ivan". We got pictures with Brazilians, Russians, and these blokes from Down Under. The girls in the pictures are my pals Greer and Amy, whom I hung with during all the practices and rehearsals.
The next day it was back to reality. My moment of rubbing elbows with greatness was over, but the pictures and souvenirs from that night are kept close. I hadn't looked at this stuff in a long time, but the past two weeks inspired me to dig it all out again. I had forgotten that Tripp and John both signed my vest and John left his phone number as well. No point in putting it here--I'm sure it's not right anymore--but I can't say I'm not curious to give it a try... ;)
So thanks for two great weeks of competition and for dredging up some long-forgotten memories. Hope to see all the athletes again in London 2012!!!
