by Alexander Tam
Ten seconds, nine seconds, eight seconds. As the clock finally reached zero, Al Michaels screamed into his microphone, uttering one of the most famous sport phrases in history; “Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!”
Do I believe in Miracles?
Why yes, yes I do, Al. I also believe in the 2010 US Olympic team.
It’s difficult to try and put on paper my admiration and support for the US Olympic dream. I’ve even witnessed the pursuit of gold first hand: one of my best friends, Alex Dodge, has dreams of some day making the US Canoe and Kayak Olympic Team and medaling. And in pursuit of his dream, he quite literally trains non-stop.
The river is low you say? Time do to laps in the Lake. It’s snowing? Please. This hopeful future Olympian has had to break the ice of his boat numerous times.
But this story is common to many Olympic athletes.
There is no off-season for them, because to beat the very best in the world, they have to train twice as hard. For Linsey Vonn, it was not only being ridiculously awesome at skiing, but because of her talent and sheer strength, she was able to handle the transfer to men’s skis this Olympics.
In addition to watching my friend realize his Olympic aspirations, I have met and briefly trained with former Olympian and current US National Kayak Coach Kathy Hearn. That’s right folks - I have a little adventure in me.
I used to race and compete in kayak slalom and downriver which is essentially the same as downhill skiing: finish the run as fast as humanly possible. It was truly inspirational to be around someone like her - really puts the work and ethic required to succeed in the Olympic games into perspective.
But enough about me, let’s get back to our heroes, the individuals who deserve our attention and respect.
For those you who may be unfamiliar with the Winter Olympics, well, to be blunt, it’s not quite our thing. We perform well in ice-skating and the occasional skiing event, but we lack the domination that we bring to the Summer Olympics. Well ladies and gentlemen, the drought is over, the rains of victory have arrived.
This winter, the U.S. finished on top with total 37 medals. The last time we led the medal count was in 1932 at our very own Lake Placid. Four of this year’s 37 medals came from the Nordic combined, the first ever won by Americans. I repeat: we have never even medaled in the Nordic combined, until now. Oh, and did I mention we won both gold and silver?
Our rampage didn’t stop there. The US four-man bobsled team, aka “The Night Train” (how awesome is that?) led by driver Steve Holcomb who nearly lost his sight due to a degenerative eye disorder, won gold for the first time since 1948.
As tough as the loss to the Canadian Men’s Hockey team was to stomach, many didn’t expect the US team to even medal. Bode Miller got his life back on track and redeemed himself by pulling a hat trick at the Olympics: bronze in slalom, silver in the Super G, and gold in the super combined. And Apolo Ohno did what Apolo Ohno does best – win medals. Eight of them to be exact.
But for me, it’s not the decorations that truly stick out for the Americans - what I truly admire about US Olympians is their sheer dedication.
Many, if not all Olympians, consider it an honor and achievement to simply be on the team, to get the chance to represent their country, a chance that comes only every four years.
What further makes these athletes heroes in my eyes is the fact that they aren’t paid millions of dollars to represent their country, yet they sacrifice so much and compete with such grace and passion. They must find their own sponsors, raise money, and work jobs just like you and me. There is no contract bonus or contract extension. They dedicate their entire lives to reach one goal and attain ultimate greatness.
Nothing is given to these athletes; they have to work for it.
The USOC isn’t the NFL, NHL or NBA. There is no contract extension or contract bonus. The USOC does its best, but they can only pay for so much. The proud parents of Danvers, Mass. Native Megan Duggan, forward for the US Women’s Olympic Hockey Team, fundraised and borrowed from friends to see their daughter go for the gold – to watch their own daughter compete for her country.
That’s what makes these athletes so special, they are just like you and me. Local hometown hero and college student, Duggan represents the America that doesn’t have caviar with crystal for dinner (no disrespect Mr. Diddy). These athletes are our friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
It’s dedication like that that truly runs through the red, white and blue.
And it’s dedicated athletes like this that brought the fire back from 1980 this winter - going on a medal run that should make America's new generation just as proud as those who were around for the famous miracle on ice.
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