ACTION ALL DAY LONG
Friday, July 30th
By James O’Brien
It’s funny who you meet when you’re out. On arrival at the airport – what feels like eons ago, but was only on Wednesday – I encountered a Greek journo having ICON troubles, just the same as myself (ICON being one of the countless mobile apps essential for…. something. I’m still not quite sure). They also didn’t seem to validate his credential, which was strange. I wonder what happened to him. There was also the TV commentator from Uruguay who had been flying for two straight days in order to get here. Yesterday, it was Gianno Merlo, president of the international sports press association – yes, I’m a member – and some Italian fencing expert who wouldn’t stop talking. Insisted that I contact him for whatever I may need to know. I haven’t, yet. This morning, it was a Japanese writer for Asahi Shimbum – that’s a newspaper, not beer – and another gentleman who I think was German and who showed me how to use the media transport app. He seemed to find it hilarious when I told him he had changed my life.
All of which is to illustrate a fact that is oft unacknowledged at the Olympic Games: much as the Games are all about the competition, or should be, they are also about the phenomenon of the global village, and which permeates so many levels. Among the media contingent, friendships are made that are only renewed every four years. I have several dear friends that I only see at major championships. It’s a peculiar phenomenon, but one that is, to my mind, enormously significant in a world divided by politics. Sport is the unifier, exemplified nowhere better than at the Olympic Games.
I write these words as I sit in the media tribune overlooking the Sea Forest Waterway, venue for the Olympic rowing competitions. Today is the last day of Olympic rowing, the highlight being the finals of the men’s and women’s eights. Those old enough to cast their minds back to 2004 and the Athens Olympic Games may recall the dominance of the US boat in the men’s eight. Jason Read, one of that celebrated crew, offered reminiscences of that great day during the Opening Ceremony celebration at Travers Island on July 23rd. I’m proud to say that I was at the Athens Games to witness that US (and NYAC) victory. (I’m similarly proud to say that I was at the TI event to listen to Jason’s recollections, plus those of NYAC Olympians John Nonna, Curt Clausen and Bruce Baumgartner). Awaiting this morning’s final, I am hopeful that this will be another day that we will look back on with pride and a healthy dose of nostalgia.
The NYAC focus, on this occasion, is the women’s eight. For the record, the NYAC members in the boat in question are: Charlotte Buck, Olivia Coffey, Meghan Musnicki, Kristine O’Brien and Katelin Guregian (cox). While hopes are high for the Star and Bars, let it be said that this will be no punt on the Isis. Also in the line-up is Canada, New Zealand, China, Romania and Australia. Romania only made this round by winning the repechage – in which they set a world best. On the last occasion on which a world championships was held (2019), New Zealand won. Just saying.
The heat and humidity climbed inexorably as the 10.05am start time drew near. The aforementioned Japanese journo had advised me that conditions today are mild compared to an ordinary summer’s day in Tokyo. He’s right; I’ve been here before. It can be unreal. Even so, it was far from ideal conditions for high octane anaerobic activity.
Once the racing got underway, there was little question as to who had the potent combination of intent and capability – the winning formula. Canada forged into an early lead that it never relinquished, scoring a dominant win and being the sole boat to go under six minutes (5:59.13, to be precise). New Zealand was always ensconced in second, leaving the US/NYAC boat to fight for the bronze medal with China and Australia. Surprisingly, the Romanian world record holders were quickly gone from the fray. With each passing 500m increment, however, the US could edge no higher than fourth, the China boat always inches ahead. At the completion of the 2000m course, that was how it stayed: Canada, New Zealand, China, USA. For the record, Australia was fifth and Romania sixth.
Was this a disappointment? While you always compete for the medals, the reality is that, at this level, the difference between hardware and…well…no hardware is fractions of degrees. Today was not the day for the US women, though they clearly had the potential. If there is any cause for regret it is that, most likely, this boat – meaning this permutation of amazing team members – will probably not see another Olympics. For Musnicki, this was her third Games, remarkably the first in which she did not win a gold medal. A fourth Olympics would not be unprecedented; but it would be a remarkable accomplishment. Which, upon reflection, would seem to be the point.
As the rowing concluded, the rest of the day heated up for the NYAC’s competitors. In the men’s discus qualifying, Sam Mattis launched a season’s best of 63.74m/209’ 1” to advance to tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) final (6am EST). Nadia Eke (competing for Ghana) and Tori Franklin both contested the qualifying rounds of the women’s triple jump, but both struggled, Eke logging three fouls and Franklin reaching 13.68m/44’ 10 3/4”, leaving her a non-advancing 13th in her group. Jake Hoyle assisted the US men’s epée team to an overall ninth place finish, the host nation denying the US a place in the quarter finals. In the swimming pool, Brett Fraser (Cayman Islands) placed equal second in the sixth heat of the men’s 50m freestyle in a time of 22.46 seconds, a clocking that did not allow him to advance to the next round. And the US women’s water polo team rebounded from an upset loss to Hungary on Wednesday, prevailing over the Russian Olympic Committee by a score of 18-5. For them, next is the quarter-finals against an opponent still TBD.
You may wonder why the team of Russians is named as it is rather than simply “Russia.” In the world of the Olympic Games, where politics and acts of legerdemain are more common than on Capitol Hill, the answer is predicably opaque. In a nutshell, Russia is banned from Olympic competition due to – how shall we say? – shortcomings in its anti-doping programs. That said, athletes who can be proven to be innocent of said shenanigans should not, the prevailing wisdom holds, be denied the opportunity to compete in this global spectacular. They may not represent Russia, of course, that nation serving its time in the sin bin. Ergo, the “Russian Olympic Committee.” That decision and its implication may be a source of debate far longer than this column allows.
Highlights for tomorrow (Saturday) are the mixed triathlon relay, the mixed team competition in judo, the water polo men playing Hungary and Sam Mattis contesting the discus final. It’s all to play for. Stay tuned.