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Cassidy: Day 4 from Beijing
Ed. Note: Sid Cassidy coaches the Saint Andrew’s swim team.
Aug. 20
This historic week has been moving by me at such an incredible rate, I have literally only had this moment to slow down and type. It is 8 p.m. here in Beijing, and 11 hours ago we began the inaugural Olympic Marathon Swim for women at the Shunyi Rowing, Canoe and Kayak Center.
The incredible Larissa Ilchenko from Russia won in her typical late charging style, the British girls who led the whole way settled for the silver and bronze and 22 other athletes notched a slot in Olympic history.
Dennis Miller from Fiji did an outstanding job as Head Referee controlling the race and allowing the ladies to race in a very tough pressure-packed international competition.
The young American entrant Chloe Sutton pushed herself hard early but never fell into that easy speed rhythm that is so critical to succeed at this level. Nonetheless, at age 16 she gained valuable experience and certainly should be lauded as our nation’s only representative in this momentous event.
I have already heard from my friend and aquatic colleague Chris Guesdon in Tasmania (the man most credited with promoting the 10K rowing basin model more than a decade ago) that watching the complete race on Australian television was something very special down-under.
For me, it’s been a long labor of love and actually seeing it come to fruition made for an emotional day for me. Sharing this moment with my family made it even more special.
Certainly the decades of volunteer sacrifice on my part would have never been possible without Kara being there year after year pulling double-duty at home and at the pool. I have been blessed.
There is one image that will remain with me forever from this most auspicious day I would like to share.
Looking out over the extraordinary venue from the VIP section early in the morning with my son Quinn, beaming brighter than the sun, said, “This so incredible Dad … look around – we’re at the Olympics!” … then he gave me one the best father/son hugs an “old man” could ever wish for!
In the days that passed with no journal entry, Team Cassidy continued our Chinese adventure.
We were there as Michael Phelps made his own Olympic history and the USA Men’s team took home the Gold in this meet’s final event – the 400 Medley Relay.
Quite a spectacular run at the cube and since that time we’ve been back for the women’s medal round in 3-meter diving. Kara has chronicled some of their exploits as much of the previous two days for me included meetings and tedious prep work to ensure the Marathon Swims are successful.
I did find time to explore the Olympic Village with them on special day passes – that was a unique experience in itself. The one big day with no Olympic events we climbed the Great Wall at Mutianyu. The real fun though was not in the climb up, but the toboggan ride down – a steel chute ride in a small cart on wheels … too funny – especially when Quinn wiped out!
Later that night the girls were a little tired but Quinn and I wanted to see USA vs. Germany in men’s hoops so we decided to catch the metro to the Basketball Arena (man there sure are a lot of foreigners on that subway – Ha!).
Though the game was a blowout, we witnessed some amazing plays (D-Wade had a slam to remember and Kobe was draining threes) and most of the USA Swim team was in attendance.
We will stay one more night and fly home Friday afternoon to be ready for the first full week of school on Monday, Aug. 25. This has truly been the experience of a lifetime.
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