I was privileged to read the following piece that I wrote on the Charlotte National Public Radio outlet this morning. The anchor prefaced my reading (which aired twice) with a comment about how the Olympic spirit can be found in places other than Athens. I hope you all see my pride in our Master's family in writing and presenting this, and I hope no one takes offense.
"At the same time Michael Phelps was speeding through the Olympic pool in Athens, a 79 year old swimmer in lane 7 at the US Masters National Championships in Savannah wasn’t making much forward progress. His official entry form said that he could complete the 200 meter butterfly race in just under six minutes, but it became clear very early on, after it took him almost four minutes to complete just the first of the race’s four laps, that he, and all of us watching, were in for a long ordeal.
Over the next few minutes while the swimmer in Lane 7 completed his second lap, the crowd of over 1000 competitors and hundreds more volunteers and spectators at the pool began to get uneasy. They knew that this performance would add an extra ten or fifteen minutes to the meet’s already long schedule on the last of its four days of competition. One of the swimmers in the bleachers near me said he didn’t think the guy could possibly finish the way he was going. Another said “I wonder if they’ll stop him. Maybe they should.” I must admit that my first thought was to agree. I thought, “What’s he even doing in this race? I’m only 51 and I would never register for the 200 meter butterfly, especially at the Nationals.” I also thought about how none of the men in my immediate family line had ever even reached age 79.
About ten yards into his 3rd lap, a single figure appeared on the sidelines cheering him on. Each time the swimmer’s head and arms popped up out of what seemed to be the deep, his self-appointed cheerleader would shout “Go-o-o-o-o, Go-o-o-o!” It only took me a second or two to recognize that that cheerleader was one of the very best adult swimmers in the world. “Go Doug, Go!” she shouted. Nobody joined Nadine Day, a 34 year old world record holder, as she cheered Doug on, but I daresay we all sat transfixed as we watched this compelling drama unfold.
When Doug neared his final turn, Nadine was on her knees at the end of the lane almost leaning into the water to cheer him on. She followed him all the way home on that 4th lap. When Doug was about ten yards from the end of the race, an ovation bound to become raucous began to build in the pool. I believe that that ovation and the cheers that went with it might very well have been heard in Athens.
For some reason, Doug, who recently underwent hip replacement surgery, didn’t stop when his race ended. He turned at the wall and started on a fifth lap. Everyone gasped, except Nadine Day. She dove into the water, stopped him, and pulled him over to the wall to yet another thunderous ovation. I’m believing it was for the sheer joy of accomplishment that Doug wanted to keep going."
Joe Gosha
Great Story Joe. I will always remember this race. And when I feel that I can't finish a race or practice, I will recall Doug swimming fly for 16 minutes.
Let me give you all some background information about Doug's swim.
Doug did swim the 200 fly under 6:00 within the 2 year qualifying period for Nationals. He lives across the boarder in Indiana and I have seen him swim in the past. It's amazing to me that he is still swimming. He is an inspiration to me. Doug likes to swim the most challenging events, he usually swims the mile and the 400 IM too. Last year, Doug had a total hip replacement and he is still trying to recover from the surgery and modifying his strokes to adjust to the his hip restrictions. We have to remember, he is 79 years old.
Doug was disqualified in the 100 fly (during the 400 IM) the day before for a split kick. I think his 100 fly split for the 400 IM was around 3 minutes. He was determined not to be disqualified again. He decided that he would just drag his legs and not kick at all. Basically, he pulled a 200 fly.
I had just got out the pool and noticed that Doug was swimming his 200 fly. I saw his 50 split and had many doubts that he would be able to complete the 200 fly. I definitely couldn't swim fly for that long. I couldn't believe at the 100; he was still going. I started to cheer figuring that he would SPEED UP. He just kept swimming and I think some of his strokes he didn't make any forward progress. He did get excited after completing the 200 fly from the ovation he received and kept swimming. I was in shock and just jumped in after him. It was an automatic response. Then, after his swim he said to me that it was the easiest 200 fly that he had swum in his life. I was in shock. (I almost didn't make my 200 fly, I died and barely made the last 15 meters) He also said that he knew it was me cheering and that helped him to continue. He was beeming from finishing the 200 fly. Then he walked to the warm-down pool and swam more fly in the pool. Now that was crazy. :-P
I will always remember Doug's swim and my goal will be to keep swimming at least until 79 years old. But, I don't know about swimming the 200 fly. :-)
Keep on swimming......swimming......swimming
Great Story Joe. I will always remember this race. And when I feel that I can't finish a race or practice, I will recall Doug swimming fly for 16 minutes.
Let me give you all some background information about Doug's swim.
Doug did swim the 200 fly under 6:00 within the 2 year qualifying period for Nationals. He lives across the boarder in Indiana and I have seen him swim in the past. It's amazing to me that he is still swimming. He is an inspiration to me. Doug likes to swim the most challenging events, he usually swims the mile and the 400 IM too. Last year, Doug had a total hip replacement and he is still trying to recover from the surgery and modifying his strokes to adjust to the his hip restrictions. We have to remember, he is 79 years old.
Doug was disqualified in the 100 fly (during the 400 IM) the day before for a split kick. I think his 100 fly split for the 400 IM was around 3 minutes. He was determined not to be disqualified again. He decided that he would just drag his legs and not kick at all. Basically, he pulled a 200 fly.
I had just got out the pool and noticed that Doug was swimming his 200 fly. I saw his 50 split and had many doubts that he would be able to complete the 200 fly. I definitely couldn't swim fly for that long. I couldn't believe at the 100; he was still going. I started to cheer figuring that he would SPEED UP. He just kept swimming and I think some of his strokes he didn't make any forward progress. He did get excited after completing the 200 fly from the ovation he received and kept swimming. I was in shock and just jumped in after him. It was an automatic response. Then, after his swim he said to me that it was the easiest 200 fly that he had swum in his life. I was in shock. (I almost didn't make my 200 fly, I died and barely made the last 15 meters) He also said that he knew it was me cheering and that helped him to continue. He was beeming from finishing the 200 fly. Then he walked to the warm-down pool and swam more fly in the pool. Now that was crazy. :-P
I will always remember Doug's swim and my goal will be to keep swimming at least until 79 years old. But, I don't know about swimming the 200 fly. :-)
Keep on swimming......swimming......swimming
