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2004 Olympic Diary
For the sixth time in his 24-year career
with US SAILING, Olympic Director Jonathan Harley is accompanying the
USA's Team to the Olympic Games. |
|
August 21 – What else
can be said about the performance of Paul Forester and Kevin Burnham.
GOLD! What a way to end the regatta and what an evening! The
day began with every class under the post-pone ment flag. Very light winds were predicted, and concern was expressed that there might not be enough wind to get in a race by the 3:00 pm starting deadline for the classes sailing their final race. At about 1:30 p.m. there seemed to be enough wind to get the 470s on the water. Paul and Kevin had left early and waited for the wind at the course area. It was cooler on the water so they ate their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and waited. Those ashore just baked as it was forecast to be 40 degrees Celsius (104 F).  The
470 Women started first, but the real excitement for us was the 470
Men. Staying ashore and watching the scores from the media center I was
surprised to not see USA and GBR in the top 20 at the first mark.
Eventually the scores appeared with USA in 22 and GBR in 23, and it
remained that way throughout the entire race. (Paul and Kevin had
blocked GBR from the start line more than two minutes from the start --
photo above shows how far off they were with 15 seconds to the gun!)Excitement built as Paul and Kevin arrived ashore. First they were taken to the measurement area to be sure their boat had all the originally measured and stickered equipment. Then for the second time Paul was to be drug-tested. In addition there were interviews form the gathered press as well as live radio interviews. (Kevin gets a big hug from Katie McDowell, above.) The organizers also had a press conference scheduled for all medalists, so there was a lot to do before the medal ceremony that was scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Everyone who had a USOC credential was given a ceremony ticket and everyone who held a spectator boat ticket for the day was able to exchange it for a ceremony ticket. The logistics of getting everyone into the ceremony was challenging, however, it all worked out in the end and everyone who wanted to get in did.  The Finns were first up, followed by the 470 Men’s medals. As Paul and Kevin marched out all the USA fans cheered and waved flags (although we needed many more flags so we will have to find a source to be better prepared for our next medals). Following the presentation of the medals, laurel wreaths and flowers, our national anthem was played. As large as our celebration was, it was nothing compared to the 470 Women’s Gold medal for Greece. The place went wild, waving flags and blowing air horns, and it seemed that every second person had a Greek flag – including two Greek Orthodox clergy members in full robes.  Most
of us walked back to our apartment and Paul and his family showed up for
a very low-key celebration with champagne and ice cream. Paul’s wife
Carrie and 10-month-old son, Luke, (big yawn for the tired Foerster
boys, left)were there as well. They all headed home at about 11:00 and
the rest of us were off for the normal midnight dinner.We did not see Kevin after the medal ceremony, and nobody is sure when or where we will see him again. I thought he was the most excited individual when he won his silver medal in 1992 in Barcelona, but it was nothing compared to last night. I think after 27 years sailing 470s there was not one person at the ceremony that did not know Kevin and could not have been happier for him. With all the well-wishers and picture-taking, we were the last group in the medal arena and the workers had to pry us out so they could go home!  We were all proud and excited to be Americans last night. WOW!!!!! |
