2004 Olympic Trials | Day 8

Sunday - 18 July 2004 - Sacramento, California: Just before 8 o'clock this morning, we were roused from our sleep by someone pounding on the door. However, it wasn't OUR door - it was next-door at Captain Jim's Bounder. DT and I peeked out the window and our first thought was "this guy is mad at us for the last-night, late-night, loud party-night". Upon closer inspection, we realized the Knocker was trying to alert Captain Jim to the water leaking out the front door of his Bounder and soaking-down the entire campground! Somehow... wonder how... Captain Jim had knocked the water filter off-kilter under the kitchen sink and water was coming out from under the sink, down the door stairwell and onto the parking lot/campground - all night!  Things dried very quickly after Captain Jim repaired his water filter connection.

Our friend, Nelson, called from Sacramento International and asked us to meet him at the NIKE Center at the track. We had lunch and headed over to the stadium - for the last day of The Trials. And, I must add here - we were ready for the track meet to be over! 10 days of heat is 10 days too many for me. When we arrived at the NIKE Center, they were ready to close-up shop and head back to Beaverton in the morning. We chatted with a few old friends - but in truth, we just didn't know many of the young people working! The lines into the stadium were miles-long and the sun was baking, so it was just fine with us to sit in the air conditioned center. When the lines calmed-down a bit, we went into the stadium and ran into Sandy and Del - they had been here all week too and hadn't seen a soul they recognized!

Today should have been the most exciting day of the Trials, as there were many finals, but the crowd just can't seem to muster much excitement. We don't know if it is because of the heat, or if the crowds are not knowledgeable... or maybe it just wasn't a very exciting day??? Today we were joined by Brother Steve, Gina and Bruce. Once the competition started, Jamie Nieto tried to liven things up a bit after he cleared 7-7 in the high jump! He was so excited - he flew off the pit, threw off his singlet, threw himself up into the air and did a back flip at the 30-yard line! What a hoot! Everyone was waiting for the 1500 final. Hopes were high for Alan Webb, and the newspaper this morning had a quote from Michael Stember saying he won't lose on his home track. (Not really sure of the quote, as though Stember is from Sacramento, he ran for Stanford... anyway, it didn't make any difference because he lost.) (Where the hell is Gabe Jennings when you need him? DT answered: Kenya.) The group took off at a steaming pace and lurched to a near halt by the first curve. They had slowed so much when they came down the second straight-away, Brother Steve commented, "Is this the 5000?" With two laps to go, Webb decided to go for it. He finished, alone, in 3:36.13 - running his 3rd lap in .55 and his fourth in .59. Webb is the only one of the top-three finishers to have met the Olympic Qualifying Standard. At his post-race interview Webb held up a tee-shirt his sister had made for him when he was in 7th Grade. The shirt read, "Athens 2004". Nearly brought the crowd to tears! Alan Webb is two years younger than Lisa.

The crowd would occasionally cheer, and we soon realized this occurred when the (Saturn) blimp passing overhead would provide a moment of shade!

In other exciting happenings, Marla Runyon dropped out of the women's 1500m. Can't blame her. It seemed to me she was in nearly every race on the track all week. If Marion is tired, Marla must be ready for traction. DURING the women's 1500, the track crew actually began setting-up the hurdles on the track for the next race! This was so rude, not to mention, dangerous! Shocking! Gail Devers made the 100m hurdle team. Her nails are so long, she couldn't even clap! Tonight medals were given to athletes by Evander Holyfield and Kenny Moore. When Craig Masback was introduced to give a medal, he was booed.

So, the trials are over. Or are they? Here, Dear Reader, is where I must add a disclaimer. All qualifiers are subject to adjustment according to the results of urine analysis. I'm guessing a lot of athletes, discouraged this week because they finished 4th or 5th, will be flying to Athens next month. Many, many, many athletes still have to meet the qualifying standard to go to Athens. I bet there are going to be a few sizzling track meets in Europe next week!

So long, Sacramento

Captain Jim and the Lovely Roxanne have headed home. We (and our 26 Bengay Patches) are packing-up tonight and will head home tomorrow.

RV Park: Cal-Expo RV Park