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 August
28 – What
a way to finish up the Olympic Regatta, with a SILVER MEDAL for our
Tornado team. In a situation where we needed to put three boats between
AUT and us, the AUT team went out and won the race. Johnny Lovell and
Charlie Ogletree sailed an excellent series and made us all proud. Most
of our remaining athletes, support staff, friends and family attended
the medal ceremony carrying flags to wave and we made tons of noise as
the boys received their medals.
Our Star team finished fifth overall in a very talented field having
sailed their best in very trying conditions. Following the ceremony we
all went back to the Palace Hotel (our home away from home) to share a
glass of champagne and salute our Silver medal team.
We then went to a party back in the sailing venue that had been
organized for all the volunteers. Jan and Alanna were part of the Media
Center staff where the feeling all day had been similar to the day after
Christmas blues. Many of the workers had been saying “see you in China”
as there was a lot of talk that everyone should volunteer to help the
sailing in 2008 – now that they were experts! Many new friends were
made during the sharing of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Eventually a huge water fight broke out and there were very few dry
individuals as we were leaving. I had escaped the water fight while
sharing a nightcap with Manos who had “recruited” Jan and Alanna for his
staff two years ago when we came to Athens for the first sailing test
event. Tomorrow, Closing Ceremonies will officially bring a close to
the 2004 Olympic Games. |
