Given the way my own rowing career ended just five weeks short of the seleciton of the light men's four in 1996 - in a head-on collision between two straight fours at top speed - the last couple weeks before the start of the Games, as well as the spectacle of the opening ceremonies, is always a bit bittersweet. Lots of folks have been denied their shot at competing in the Olympics by a twist of fate, and there's no point in lingering on this stuff, but I do admit to an occasional sharp stab of regret, what the hell.
But once the racing starts, and we start churning out reports, quotes, photos, news and resources, and more, the sheer intensity (and volume) of the work and the environment is its own reward; it's great to see truly good rowing, and to see friends and neighbors going for it full bore. As 1984 gold medalist Brad Lewis wrote on row2k this morning, this moment at the rowing venue - the last few hours before the first race goes off, when an athlete's hopes, intent, and possibilities are one and the same, identically defined - is one of the very best moments in sports. As of right now, every athlete here may well have the best Games performance they can possibly muster; and even if their hopes do not pan out completely over the next nine days, they will always be among the ranks of Olympians, which I know myself will always carry its own special satisfaction.
At this moment of unbridled potential for every athlete in the Games, we wish them all ridiculous, tremendous luck these next couple days as they take their first shot down the course, and right into next weekend.
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