(2 August 1996; Day 14)
While most mothers barely find time for themselves, Birgit FISCHER (Germany), Anna WOOD (Australia), Josefa IDEM (Italy) and Izabella DYLEWSKA (Poland) have found the time to be both moms and Olympic athletes. The four extraordinary women have stepped to the forefront of the women's kayak events at the 1996 Olympic Games. FISCHER and IDEM will race in Sunday's final of the women's kayak single 500m while FISCHER pulls double duty and joins WOOD and DYLEWSKA as top contenders in the kayak double 500m event.
However, before she is an Olympic athlete, FISCHER is a single mother of two. And her children have given her more satisfaction than her 21 world championship titles and four Olympic gold medals.
"I love my kids," said FISCHER. "I love my sport and I am lucky to have both. I just have to be very organized to do it all."
FISCHER has become an icon of the Olympic Games in the kayak competition. The 34-year-old first raced in the 1980 Olympics and aside from the boycott in 1984, has participated ever since. In 1992, FISCHER, under her maiden name of SCHMIDT, captured the gold in the women's kayak single 500m event, and in 1996 hopes to do just the same.
"I have no plan for the final," said FISCHER. "Just go very fast and win." To win her second consecutive gold medal, the German will once again need to shut down the ever-powerful Rita KOBAN of Hungary, who took the silver medal in 1992.
FISCHER joins Ramona PORTWICH in the kayak double 500m event for the first time in Olympic competition. The duo have only been training together for three and a half weeks, but PORTWICH is comfortable with her new teammate.
"A good team paddler can always adjust to a new partner," said PORTWICH. "Although it has only been three and a half weeks, we have had no problems." PORTWICH is no stranger to making adjustments. At the 1992 Barcelona Games, PORTWICH teamed with Anke Von SECK to win the gold medal and at the 1995 World Championships, captured top honors with Anett SCHUCK. Despite the changing of partners, PORTWICH and KOBAN feel good about their chances in the finals.
"We will be very happy if we win a medal," said PORTWICH. "This Olympics has been very fun aside from all the stress and training. I would not be doing it if it wasn't."
Australian Anna WOOD is having fun too, and with fellow paddler Katrin BORCHERT hopes to bring home the gold in the kayak double 500m race. "On Sunday we are going to go as fast as we can," said WOOD. "The start is important, so is the middle but most important is getting to the finish line first. That's where the medals are."
However, if WOOD does not find a medal around her neck after the finals, she will still have the only medal she needs -- her son Jordan.
"Jordan, who celebrated his second birthday Thursday, is more important than winning or training," said WOOD. "He is my gold medal. He helps to provide a balanced approach to life, helps to keep my priorities in order."
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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| The volunteer staff of the 1996 Olympic Games totaled 50,152. They worked an estimated 850,000 shifts. |