This weekend, I visited the Vesper Boat Club in Philadelphia. While on a brief pitstop at the men's room, I discovered the two urinals are named Tom and Joe. If you happen not to be an Olympic rowing junkie, Tom and Joe are the Amlong brothers, two members of the 1964 American Olympic eight, the champions that summer at the Games in Tokyo.
If you ask anyone who was involved with that crew about Tom and Joe, their answer will depend heavily on how polite the person is. Responses describing the brothers can range from "colorful," to "obstreperous," to "Those guys were [unprintable expletives]." When Vesper raised the funds to restore the interior of their building a few years ago, I am sure someone made their donation conditional on being able to relieve themselves on old Joe and Tom. I found the whole thing hilarious, and can see that one day, some rower will make a contribution to a program, as long as they agree to name a urinal or a can after some of us in the 2004 eight.
But in all of this, I was reminded about something that is true in rowing and in life. When you are part of a team chasing an aggressive goal, you don't have to like everyone you are working with, but you have to respect their abilities to help the team across the line first.
I will always be closer to the guys from the 1997-2000 squad than I will with the 2004 crew. We simply had more in common to the way we approached racing and life, and, man, we were fast. It is pretty likely that the best friends I will ever have were in that 1998-1999 eight.
In the 2004 eight, our common bond is our uncommon result. I will always respect my teammates from that crew for their truly amazing abilities, and in that crew I do have a number of good friends. But I'd like to thank whomever paid to have those urinals named Tom and Joe. I laughed my ass of while making room for a beer, and I know exactly what you meant!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
First Olympic Commercial of 2008
I just saw my first Olympic commercial of the big year. It was "my" only in the sense that I had not seen one like this yet--Olympians talking about their past and upcoming performances. I got goosebumps and even felt about 5 microseconds of envy. Now, I just feel excited for all the people who will win medals for the first time this summer. I don't have enough medals to say "There's nothing like the first time," but I can say the first time is pretty damn fine. GO USA Olympians!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Just a moment...
I was flying home from Minneapolis tonight, looking through a notebook that had some entries from the summer of 2004. I had forgotten a few of the things that were in there, and found some handwritten notes from Teti. He must have grabbed the wrong notebook one day. It reminded me of a moment...
We were in Athens, standing next to the boathouse about 45 minutes before the final. All the preparation was done. There were about seven minutes left to kill before we put hands on the boat to go race. It was just Mike, Ted Nash and the nine of us. Athletes from other countries were de-rigging their boats, drinking a long overdue beer and trading gear with one another.
I remember feeling pretty good in a pretty primitive, caveman sort of way. The guys were cracking some jokes with Mike, shaking it out just to keep the nerves at bay. And then one guy said it. "So, Mike, are you nervous?" This is the part of the story where the needle usually comes off the record, but not this time. Smiling, we all looked at Mike and knew the answer. He did his patented close-the-eyes-and-nod-violently-in-agreement move. "I'm a wreck." But the way he answered sounded like he almost knew it was irrational to feel that way.
It is no secret that rowing coaches freak out just as their crews launch for the final. Before every other final of my career with him, Mike was 100% business, a superhuman hardass who would die before revealing any cracks in his armor.
This time it was different. He possessed a confidence in us, a confidence that only gets tested out near a lake on a summer Sunday once every four years. Another quadrennium's preparation--and Mike's report card--would soon be rendered. And in that last moment before we left, without a second thought, he showed us his human side.
We were in Athens, standing next to the boathouse about 45 minutes before the final. All the preparation was done. There were about seven minutes left to kill before we put hands on the boat to go race. It was just Mike, Ted Nash and the nine of us. Athletes from other countries were de-rigging their boats, drinking a long overdue beer and trading gear with one another.
I remember feeling pretty good in a pretty primitive, caveman sort of way. The guys were cracking some jokes with Mike, shaking it out just to keep the nerves at bay. And then one guy said it. "So, Mike, are you nervous?" This is the part of the story where the needle usually comes off the record, but not this time. Smiling, we all looked at Mike and knew the answer. He did his patented close-the-eyes-and-nod-violently-in-agreement move. "I'm a wreck." But the way he answered sounded like he almost knew it was irrational to feel that way.
It is no secret that rowing coaches freak out just as their crews launch for the final. Before every other final of my career with him, Mike was 100% business, a superhuman hardass who would die before revealing any cracks in his armor.
This time it was different. He possessed a confidence in us, a confidence that only gets tested out near a lake on a summer Sunday once every four years. Another quadrennium's preparation--and Mike's report card--would soon be rendered. And in that last moment before we left, without a second thought, he showed us his human side.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Must I?
I just got done reading an article entitled Must I Bank? by Jonathan Knee. Having spent much of the last year traveling the world and engaging in some long overdue introspection on what I want the rest of my life to look like, I have to say that Mr. Knee's analysis of careers may be the the most concise and trenchant I have yet encountered.
I admit freely that I love to ride on the backs of others' insights. It is cheaper in time, emotion and headaches than constantly trying to synthesize one's own. And it is even kind of fun when the occasion arises to combine two sets of seemingly disparate conclusions into some new and valuable mental shorthand. Call it intellectual laziness if you like. I prefer "higher order thought."
But back to the job at hand, which is figuring out my future. A good friend of mine once said, "I don't want an Olympic gold medal to be the greatest thing that ever happened in my life." Gazing upon his wife, he quickly corrected himself: "Honey, you are the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I don't want the gold medal to be the second greatest thing..."
We all chuckled at the restatement, but the point was not lost. At an early age, we were fortunate enough to have front row seats when one of our lifetime dreams came true. People always comment on how much hard work it must have been or how many sacrifices we must have made, but that is a red herring. We chose to spend our time rowing and competing because we loved it more than anything else. Really...who would not trade for a brief career where part of the job description states "spend at least five hours a day outside in a boat with your closest friends. Live like a warrior monk, travel the world vanquishing your opponents, and be revered by a small but adoring group of fans."
Yes, it was awesome, but like a supernova. And ultimately, such awesomeness cannot be forever sustained, at least not in that same form--sort of a "one brief shining moment." The biggest question for me has been how to find a place in the world to harness that passion that helped get us to where we ended up. Mr. Knee's thoughts and his implicit question of "Are you a salesman, a lone thinker or a committed operator?" is the closest by far anyone has come to asking the same questions I am now asking myself.
If you want my answer, well, you will just have to stay tuned. Finding one's next passion in life is never easy, though I promise to let you know when I do...
I admit freely that I love to ride on the backs of others' insights. It is cheaper in time, emotion and headaches than constantly trying to synthesize one's own. And it is even kind of fun when the occasion arises to combine two sets of seemingly disparate conclusions into some new and valuable mental shorthand. Call it intellectual laziness if you like. I prefer "higher order thought."
But back to the job at hand, which is figuring out my future. A good friend of mine once said, "I don't want an Olympic gold medal to be the greatest thing that ever happened in my life." Gazing upon his wife, he quickly corrected himself: "Honey, you are the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I don't want the gold medal to be the second greatest thing..."
We all chuckled at the restatement, but the point was not lost. At an early age, we were fortunate enough to have front row seats when one of our lifetime dreams came true. People always comment on how much hard work it must have been or how many sacrifices we must have made, but that is a red herring. We chose to spend our time rowing and competing because we loved it more than anything else. Really...who would not trade for a brief career where part of the job description states "spend at least five hours a day outside in a boat with your closest friends. Live like a warrior monk, travel the world vanquishing your opponents, and be revered by a small but adoring group of fans."
Yes, it was awesome, but like a supernova. And ultimately, such awesomeness cannot be forever sustained, at least not in that same form--sort of a "one brief shining moment." The biggest question for me has been how to find a place in the world to harness that passion that helped get us to where we ended up. Mr. Knee's thoughts and his implicit question of "Are you a salesman, a lone thinker or a committed operator?" is the closest by far anyone has come to asking the same questions I am now asking myself.
If you want my answer, well, you will just have to stay tuned. Finding one's next passion in life is never easy, though I promise to let you know when I do...
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Another Olympian's Thoughts...
American Olympian Willie Banks sent this note to us recently and agreed to let me post it here.
April 11, 2008
As President of the U.S. Olympians Association, I oppose any attempt to boycott the Olympic Games in Beijing and thereby single out athletes to pay the price for the political agendas of others. Frankly, I am a victim of a boycott and know first hand how painful it is to have my hopes and dreams plucked from my heart because of political pressures outside my control. I am sure that those Olympians affected by the 1980 and 1984 Boycotts share similar sentiments.
I believe it is the responsibility of every Olympian to protect the rights of all accredited athletes to compete in the Olympic Games. Athletes do not participate in the Olympic Games as warriors, politicians nor activists. They are, and should be, athletes exercising their God given talent to compete on the world’s greatest stage. We who have gone before this new generation of gifted talent pledged to compete “in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams”. That Olympic Oath continues today and gives us the basis for becoming Olympians. There is no political or social message in that Oath. All we did and all we can expect from every competitor, is to compete fairly for the glory and honor of sport.
Our athletes deserve to compete in these Games and to represent our country. The time to influence the politics of China was 7 years ago when China bid for the Olympic Games. While others may chose to debate whether the Olympic Games will have a political effect on China that is not the athlete’s focus. There are many organizations that are engaged in efforts to affect change in China. If anyone sincerely feels compelled to send a message to the Chinese government, please direct your attention and send your donations to these groups. But, let’s take athletes out of the socio-political arena and keep them in the sporting arena where they belong.
The future of the Olympic Games is hanging in the balance. Every Olympian is inextricably tied to the Olympic Movement. It is our duty as Olympians to protect the stature of the Games, defend the honor of sport and protect the sanctity of the Olympic Creed. I will not naively turn my back to abuses that are the province of politics but I will not let people who do not share my Olympic family tie twist the meaning of the Olympic Games to suit their political or social agendas. The 2008 Olympic Games must go on and they will. They will because Olympians, as guardians of the Games, carriers of the Torch, and keepers of the faith will not yield to those who wish to prevent the youth of the world from competing with dignity beside their brothers and sisters in sport.
Sincerely,
Willie Banks
President, U.S. Olympians
April 11, 2008
As President of the U.S. Olympians Association, I oppose any attempt to boycott the Olympic Games in Beijing and thereby single out athletes to pay the price for the political agendas of others. Frankly, I am a victim of a boycott and know first hand how painful it is to have my hopes and dreams plucked from my heart because of political pressures outside my control. I am sure that those Olympians affected by the 1980 and 1984 Boycotts share similar sentiments.
I believe it is the responsibility of every Olympian to protect the rights of all accredited athletes to compete in the Olympic Games. Athletes do not participate in the Olympic Games as warriors, politicians nor activists. They are, and should be, athletes exercising their God given talent to compete on the world’s greatest stage. We who have gone before this new generation of gifted talent pledged to compete “in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams”. That Olympic Oath continues today and gives us the basis for becoming Olympians. There is no political or social message in that Oath. All we did and all we can expect from every competitor, is to compete fairly for the glory and honor of sport.
Our athletes deserve to compete in these Games and to represent our country. The time to influence the politics of China was 7 years ago when China bid for the Olympic Games. While others may chose to debate whether the Olympic Games will have a political effect on China that is not the athlete’s focus. There are many organizations that are engaged in efforts to affect change in China. If anyone sincerely feels compelled to send a message to the Chinese government, please direct your attention and send your donations to these groups. But, let’s take athletes out of the socio-political arena and keep them in the sporting arena where they belong.
The future of the Olympic Games is hanging in the balance. Every Olympian is inextricably tied to the Olympic Movement. It is our duty as Olympians to protect the stature of the Games, defend the honor of sport and protect the sanctity of the Olympic Creed. I will not naively turn my back to abuses that are the province of politics but I will not let people who do not share my Olympic family tie twist the meaning of the Olympic Games to suit their political or social agendas. The 2008 Olympic Games must go on and they will. They will because Olympians, as guardians of the Games, carriers of the Torch, and keepers of the faith will not yield to those who wish to prevent the youth of the world from competing with dignity beside their brothers and sisters in sport.
Sincerely,
Willie Banks
President, U.S. Olympians
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The Better Angels of Our Nature
Today, I participated in an event to raise funds for Doctors without Borders in Darfur. Stopping the genocide in Darfur, or anywhere, is important to me. But so is the preservation of the Olympic Ideal. The only reason someone like me would be invited to join as an honored guest is because I am an Olympian and a gold medalist. This latter point presents a conflict. For me, and many of my friends from the Olympics, the Games have nothing do to with politics, and today's event touched on the political topic of China more than once.
The Games are a peak experience for the athletes and fans, a celebration of humanity in its highest and lowest moments, all on a stage for the world to see. These athletes strive for a brief glimpse at perfection, maybe a victory or maybe just a lifetime best performance. What I love about watching the Olympics is not seeing people win, but seeing people forget for a few minutes that anyone is watching, as they put years of preparation and their very selves on the line. Having been called to competition on the given day and at the given hour, the colors they wear are forgotten as they stretch to touch immortality, if ever so fleetingly. In those moments, they are as exposed and vulnerable as they ever will be. And when it is over, they can look back with pride that they had the guts to try, having known no guarantee of victory and having conquered their fear of coming up short.
But now, the upcoming Olympics in Beijing are threatened with becoming a political hot potato. This is wrong-headed and selfish on the part of those who are trying to make the Games a platform for whatever agenda they are advancing. Foremost it is wrong because the Olympics are not and should not ever be about politics. They are about sharing the common dreams of humanity in its purest form.
And there appears to be a growing Sinophobia in America. People try to lay things like the Darfur genocide at the feet of China. Maybe I am callous, but I feel I am just a realist. China did not start the Darfur problem. What is taking place there is evil and the responsibility of stopping it falls to all nations equally, including our own. There is plenty that you or I can do as private citizens, like donating to Doctors without Borders. Maybe we should start there.
Outrage is not a solution. Protest alone accomplishes nothing. And violence in any form is never the answer to violence. I am embarrassed at the behavior of the hooligans following the Olympic Torch in San Francisco, and saddened by the similar scenes in London and Paris.
My experience in the Olympics taught me that as human beings, our shared aspirations are far stronger than the things which set us apart. As an American, I learned that the world still admires our humor, our will to embrace daunting challenges, and our generosity. Let us use our goodwill—these better angels of our nature—to help those who need us the most. Let us embrace those with whom we disagree and maybe fear a little. What was once The American Dream is now their dream, too. It is too strong and powerful for us to try and keep all to ourselves.
I will continue to do what I can to make the world better, but from now on I will do it as a private citizen. If you want to protest, do me a favor and leave the Olympics out of it. And whatever country you are from, I hope we can cheer together in the stands this summer in China.
The Games are a peak experience for the athletes and fans, a celebration of humanity in its highest and lowest moments, all on a stage for the world to see. These athletes strive for a brief glimpse at perfection, maybe a victory or maybe just a lifetime best performance. What I love about watching the Olympics is not seeing people win, but seeing people forget for a few minutes that anyone is watching, as they put years of preparation and their very selves on the line. Having been called to competition on the given day and at the given hour, the colors they wear are forgotten as they stretch to touch immortality, if ever so fleetingly. In those moments, they are as exposed and vulnerable as they ever will be. And when it is over, they can look back with pride that they had the guts to try, having known no guarantee of victory and having conquered their fear of coming up short.
But now, the upcoming Olympics in Beijing are threatened with becoming a political hot potato. This is wrong-headed and selfish on the part of those who are trying to make the Games a platform for whatever agenda they are advancing. Foremost it is wrong because the Olympics are not and should not ever be about politics. They are about sharing the common dreams of humanity in its purest form.
And there appears to be a growing Sinophobia in America. People try to lay things like the Darfur genocide at the feet of China. Maybe I am callous, but I feel I am just a realist. China did not start the Darfur problem. What is taking place there is evil and the responsibility of stopping it falls to all nations equally, including our own. There is plenty that you or I can do as private citizens, like donating to Doctors without Borders. Maybe we should start there.
Outrage is not a solution. Protest alone accomplishes nothing. And violence in any form is never the answer to violence. I am embarrassed at the behavior of the hooligans following the Olympic Torch in San Francisco, and saddened by the similar scenes in London and Paris.
My experience in the Olympics taught me that as human beings, our shared aspirations are far stronger than the things which set us apart. As an American, I learned that the world still admires our humor, our will to embrace daunting challenges, and our generosity. Let us use our goodwill—these better angels of our nature—to help those who need us the most. Let us embrace those with whom we disagree and maybe fear a little. What was once The American Dream is now their dream, too. It is too strong and powerful for us to try and keep all to ourselves.
I will continue to do what I can to make the world better, but from now on I will do it as a private citizen. If you want to protest, do me a favor and leave the Olympics out of it. And whatever country you are from, I hope we can cheer together in the stands this summer in China.
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