| Fencing Expert
Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: CA area
Posts: 6,146
| Greg M's blog (also posted on regular page)
Beijing Olympic Notes
Aug. 9, 2008 (4pm)
What a great start to the first day of fencing in Beijing. All 3 American Woman’s Saber fencers are in the semi-finals. Now, it’s up to the evening, and what medals the USA will get (it’s 3 Americans and 1 Russian). It works out that the first USA medals that will be won in Beijing will be in Woman’s Saber (USA is guaranteed of at least 2 medals and could sweep). The USOC personnel will come by tonight to watch our ladies compete.
The morning started a little shaky for our defending Olympic medalists, Sada and Mariel. They both had to come back in a couple of very close bouts, and then in the round of 8, they were in the flow. Becca, our young phenom, had a good start, but in the round of 8 she got a little tight and almost blew a 14-12 lead against a Tunisian girl who was hot this day. Fortunately, she gathered her composure and scored on a solid attack to win 15-14.
At one point in the quarterfinals, all three American girls had scored 14 touches and were looking for the final touch. Mariel pulled it out first, then Sada got her win, and finally, Beca closed the deal 15-14 (phew, that one was close).
I was talking to a British reporter with the BBC who had never seen fencing, and was so excited about it. He said that he will return for the finals because this was the most exciting thing he had seen in a long time.
We will see, the semi final match ups are first, Sada vs. the Russian, then the two club mates Becca and Mariel. Then there is the Bronze match, and then the gold. Wish us luck.
Cheers,
Greg
6pm – Aug. 9
There is a very quiet mood in their preparations in the warm up area. The 3 Americans and 1 Russian warm up on different sides of one warm up room for the evening session, as we wait to see who will get the medals this evening. Everyone is quiet and cordial in both camps (USA, Russia). It is almost too quiet as the fencers and coaches try to keep an eye only on their own fencers (from time to time their eyes scan across the room to the other side). In about an hour there will be an intense level of energy flowing from all these fencers, right now, it’s like everyone is charging their mental resources. Right now, the fencers take lessons, warm up with their partners and there is a quiet air of congeniality. Wait and see…..
11:59pm Aug.9
The Greatest day in the history of US Fencing – Gold, Silver, Bronze. Considering the fact that today no other USA Olympic athletes won medals in Beijing, it was quite a start to the games.
This was an amazing evening. For good luck I had brought the same USA flag from 4 years ago when the USA won it’s first gold in Athens. I will bring it for the Men’s Foil. We taped it up (with band aids from one of the mom’s) on the handrail for an extra push of moral support.
Sada started the night with a great bout against the Russian fencer. I was in the middle of the Woman’s Saber families (Ward, Jacobsen, Zagunis), and we made sure to make a tremendous amount of noise. My goal was to make as much noise with my voice, arms, and feet.
Next, the two Oregon Fencing Alliance fencers fought hard for it, but today it was Mareil’s day. She had great changes of footwork, kept the pressure on her opponents, and used her defense from this pressure, or finished with solid attacks, for the win.
In the Bronze match (only 20 mins. to rest and clear her mind) Becca was distracted from her previous defeat to her teammate and she was down 5-1 or so. Then, she put on the afterburners and kept the Russian on her heals, controlling the distance, so that the Russian did not have the time to use her strong attacks. Once Beca clicked in, it was another story. Still, she had to overcome being down at the end, and she finally took control of the distance and won the bronze 15-14.
Now, it was center court time between the two Grand Dames of USA Woman’s Saber fencing, and our returning Olympic medalists, Sada, and Mariel. Both ladies are very focused, but today was Mariel’s day. She was fencing better than anyone else and she deserved this hard fought gold medal. Mariel took early control, and fought hard to keep Sada from being able to gather any momentum. We are all very proud of this amazing evening, and the effort that these fine ladies showcased to the world.
We were all ecstatic, and the gold medal was quiet for us as there are 2 USA fencers on the strip. It is almost surreal, and so different than 4 years ago in Athens when Mariel fenced for the Gold, and we jumped the fence to go and throw her up in the air.
Knowing all the coaches, and families of our Women’s Saber fencers, it is also hard for all of them. All 3 ladies had a realistic chance at the gold medal, and when two American fencers compete, they have to stay quiet. This is very tough on all of them, and every once in a while someone a gets a small squeak, they quickly bite their tongues. This is really really tough on the families and coaches, yet they are all very gracious individuals. They sometimes go to the side, the tears come and quickly go, but everyone was so proud of every one of our fencers. Everyone hugs everyone, they are sensitive to the situations, they fight back the tears when they are together, and the USA could not be more proud of a great group of families. It has been a long road for all the families, coaches, and fencers, spending time, money, blood, sweat and tears. What a night!!!
At the awards ceremonies it is amazing to have all three flags from the USA raised high and hear the sweet sound of the USA National anthem on the Olympic fencing stage.
As the USA sweep was going on, NBC cameras were flying around. Former President Bush came down at the awards ceremonies, and the FIE top personnel were all amazed by the USA showing.
After the awards all the coaches, and families were in the back waiting for the athletes to do the quick interviews, drug testing and get ready to go over to the Intercontinental Hotel for a celebration. There will be another celebration on Sunday with the whole US Team at the USA House, but tonight we had to get together for this amazing night.
Olympic Champion – Mareil Zagunis
Olympic Silver medal – Sada Jacobsen
Olympic Bronze medal – Becca Ward
As the USOC motto for the Beijing Games goes “ amazing awaits…………..”
Cheers,
Greg
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