The Olympic Experience

Hello Readers,


I am sure you are wondering if I have gone into hiding as my last post seems like a bittersweet memory (no worries, I won't break out in song!).  I am, in a way, in hiding as I am away with my family.  But last week, I was privy to an amazing experience as I accompanied a group of up and coming swimmers to train and watch the Canadian Olympic Trials.


My volunteer work with age group swimming has afforded my some great opportunities to accompany elite athletes as they prepare and compete in many different venues.  This last week will be a highlight that I will share at future social gatherings.  In a word, it was AWESOME!!!


I wasn't going to write about it as I am sure you have read all the gory details written by professionals with much more finesse of the subject than I. (Of course, that has never stopped me before. . . . )  If you are unfamiliar, this competition is to select the swimmers for the 2012 Olympic team and it must be said (and the athletes agree) this meet is tougher than the Olympics itself.  It is pressure-filled and electric. . . .it is even worse for the competitors!


I was witness to many mini dramas rolling out on deck and in the stands.  In reading on, please keep in mind that this is only my perspective from a semi-knowledgeble swim Mom.

My first anecdote shows how humbling the experience of realizing your dreams is.  Tera Van Beilen is an 18 year old from Oakville, Ontario training at UBC where she is also a student.  I had the pleasure of 'meeting' her at CIS in the ready room.  CIS is the annual national meet held for the top Canadian university swimmers.  The ready room is where the finalists prepare before swimming their event.  My job was to escort them to their 'walk-on'.  Needless to say, there is very little conversation as the athletes are 'in the zone'.  We are told as volunteers to not engage the swimmers in chatter as it may distract them from their race.  This is a very difficult task for me as, let's face it, I love to talk and I LOVE to talk to fellow sistahs!  While Tera was in the ready room, her eyes happen to catch mine and it would have been rude not to say something.


"How was your swim this morning?", I ask, for lack of anything better!


"Good enough", she replies.  Simple. . . to the point. . . .incredibly intimidating!!!!  In other words, good enough to get me in a position to win.  I cannot describe the intensity in her eyes only to say, I would never want to run into to her in a dark alley.


I am sure she has forgotten but, that exchange stayed with me until I saw her again this past week.  During the week, she qualified for the 100 and 200 m breaststroke in a "come from nowhere" style.  Although, I assumed that this was part of her seasonal goals and the end result of that amazing focus I witnessed at CIS, I was also privy to a moment.  Under the main stage, surrounded by one of her teammates and the doping control official, there was "tough-as-nails" Tera weeping like a newborn.  I won't ever forget it as the Olympic experience had rocked her to the core.  The evidence of what happens when your dreams are realized.

Another one of my personal heroes is Julia Wilkinson.  She is, in a word, bad-a##.  A diva at heart.  I really questioned myself as to whether I should include a post only on swimming but after reading her writing on the topic, I put my hesitations to rest.  Her performance at Trials was outstanding and now she has qualified for her second Olympics and, on the surface, made it look easy.  I include quote from her blog (check out the entire article at Ecstacy and Agony at Olympic Trials) that I hope will inspire us all who continue to train and aspire to be better:


"And yet, I'm no better a person because I'm on Canada's Olympic team. All of the swimmers who almost made it, or maybe didn't even come close, have still put in long hours. They have still sacrificed. They still carry with them all the life lessons that swimming taught them. Being an Olympian adds to your resume, but failing to make the team does not take anything away from you."


All I can say to these young women is Thank you!  I will carry your tears and your words of inspiration with me as I continue to be my best.