U.S. Olympic Trials: The Sights and Sounds

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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Commentary by Michael J. Stott

Like fine dining, presentation is often integral to a satisfactory experience. This week at U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb., there has been much to hear and much to behold. Let’s start with the visuals.

While not the only ones, the male Trials sprinters as a group, especially those who have experienced puberty, are physical specimens of epic proportions. The words “chiseled and cut” do not begin to adequately describe how impressive these men are. On display are pecs and six packs to die for. And Michelangelo, were not David his chosen model, could not have sculpted muscled upper and forearms and powerful legs any better.

Athletes exiting the competition pool arrive in the media mixing zone in varying states of exhaustion. Undertrained swimmers, and there have been several, and those who have given their full measure stagger in. Bewilderment crosses the visage of those have been asked for an unexpected interview.

Some are so exhausted they are unable to talk. North Carolina State’s Ryan Held finished Friday morning’s 50 free prelims in 22.37 to qualify 13th. Thereafter he took a full 30 seconds to catch his breath and then gasped his way through a post-race interview barely raising his head. Others like Iowa Flyer Ruby Martin are speechless from performance (she placed fourth in the 200 fly after being seeded 33rd).

Then there are others who don’t want to talk and let you know it, especially after a disappointing prelim. Count Tom Shields and Natalie Coughlin among that group. To be fair post evening races, win or lose, they are most gracious with their time.

Then there is just presentation itself. Katie Ledecky has yet to look worried. Missy Franklin is almost always upbeat. Cammile Adams, except for her deer-in-the-headlights sprint through the mixing zone before her apparent DQ was overturned, was, in her post day press conference, an ebullient lass on her way to Rio. Nathan Adrian? What’s not to like with his strength, power and a smile that lights up the western hemisphere.

I’ve now had three chance encounters with Amalie Frackenthal, a 16-year-old will o’ wisp with Davis Arden Racing. This young lady just looks and speaks confidently. On Wednesday she time-trialed the 100 fly, dropped 1.26 seconds and dusted the field. On Saturday she will time-trial the 50 free in attempt to go sub 26 (she is 26.04 presently), get her next cut “and win my heat.” She has already begun to consider college options. Ivy League schools are high on her list. Don’t bet against her.

Time was in big stage events (think Super Bowl I) when players and referees marched to midfield, flipped a coin and got on with it. I attended the closing ceremonies in Munich in 1972. It was an impressive show. Same with opening ceremonies in Atlanta, except the proceedings were bigger, much longer and with more pomp. Beijing ceremonies, opening and closing, were over the top. Super Bowl halftime shows are incredible for their display and the speed with which the organized chaos is launched and then dispatched.

Evening finals in Omaha are televised so there is plenty of visual stimulus for those in the stands and at home. The electronics and lighting are rigged for maximum effect so that before the TV cameras go on attendees are besieged by sight and sound – and in just three colors: red, white and blue. The pre-competition festivities conclude with The Star Spangled Banner, sung by various artists with mixed results. Each singer is intent on bringing his (or her) particular style to the rendition which often departs from the John Stafford Smith music that Francis Scott Key adapted to meld with his patriotic lyrics.

Then there are moments of truth — the honest confessions swimmers utter to eager reporters. Some of it is familiar rhetoric. However, there are other moments when athletes bare their inner souls and announce or acknowledge retirement plans (Emily Brunnemann, Stephanie Peacock and Bobby Bollier for starters). In each and every case they salute their sport and the coaches, parents and teammates who made their journeys so special.

Would that we were all so lucky.

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