ACOG - News - IBM

(27 July 1996; Day 7)

Longest 30 Seconds of Their Lives Gives Australians the Gold

After the Australian women's coxless pair of Megan STILL and Kate SLATTER crossed the finish line in Saturday's final, they could not celebrate. They could not embrace with utter happiness at winning an Olympic medal because they didn't know if they had accomplished their ultimate goal. The Australians were forced to wait for the ever-dreaded photo finish to tell them what medal they would take home.

"I thought we got the silver," said STILL. "I looked at the board and I saw the words 'photo finish' and we were just sitting there waiting. After we saw Australia on the top of the board it was the most magical moment. We were still trying to convince each other we won."

Magical indeed. The twosome defined what the Olympic Games are all about by besting the favored U.S. pair of Missy SCHWEN and Karen KRAFT for the gold medal. The Australians finished with a time of 7:01.39, only .39 ahead of SCHWEN and KRAFT. According to the gold medalists, it was their best race yet.

"We had raced the Americans a couple of times and knew they were strong in the middle of the race, so our race plan was to really push it in the middle," said SLATTER. "I just remember the last 250 meters. We were so focused on our race plan. It all happened so fast."

"Any race you come out with the gold medal you think it's the greatest race ever," added STILL.

The U.S. women have suffered the same fate before as they were forced to settle for the silver at the 1995 World Championships while the Australian pair captured the world title. After Saturday's race, the U.S. women were in shock over the devastating loss.

"You have to understand that when you have devoted your life to doing something, the only thing that will satisfy you is being the best," said SCHWEN. "We are still in a bit of shock and hopefully one day we will be able to appreciate the silver."

The Australian coxless pair was one of 10 crews from their homeland to qualify for the medal finals in the Olympic rowing competition, and on Saturday, the men's coxless four joined STILL and SLATTER on top of the podium, wearing gold. But according to SLATTER, a gold and silver are not the last the rowing world will hear from Australia during these Olympic Games.

"The Australian team's group dynamics here are awesome," said SLATTER. "Watch out! There will be more major damage during tomorrow's finals."

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by M. Lynne Bragg.


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