(24 July 1996; Day 05)
In an Olympic Games marking the passage of a century, beach volleyball is history in the making. The youngest sport in the Centennial Olympic Games is maturing before the eyes of the world.
The inclusion of the sport as a medal event in these Games comes just in the nick of time for its pioneers. This group of men and women have spent the last decade nurturing, promoting and, most of all, playing the sport with the panache that has made it media friendly and marketable.
"Hey, it is athletic, sexy, laid back and very California," said Mike DODD (USA). "That is why the sponsors love it. And that is why it has grown. Its roots have spread far and wide as you can see."
And nowhere was the far-flung growth of the sport more evident than in Wednesday morning's matches between DODD and his partner, Mike WHITMARSH and the Australian team of Julien PROSSER and Lee ZAHNER. The up-and-coming Australian teams have been flexing their muscles and serving notice that although it may be sexy and athletic, beach volleyball is no longer just a California export.
DODD, at 39, is the oldest beach volleyball Olympian. He looked across the net at the future of the sport he helped build. ZAHNER, at 22, is the youngest beach volleyball player and has been playing in the sand since only March. PROSSER is just a year older and has already earned the nickname "The Thunder from Down Under. " They served notice that they weren't just going to make some noise before heading for the loser's bracket.
"I think they have a lot of respect for the teams on our tour, but I think Julien and I surprised them a little," said ZAHNER.
The American pair seemed to have things under control early, going up 7-4, although it took them almost a half an hour to get that far. Australia came on strong and tied it at 10, forcing DODD/WHITMARSH to take a time out to regroup.
"When it got to 10-10 and I knew we had to go to the bad (sun) side, I had to reach down in the gut ," said WHITMARSH. "Mike and I have been in that position 100 times. We didn't panic or get frazzled. Mike had some awesome digs that really fired me up. The crowd got me going and I was able to jump higher and hit harder."
The veteran pair then reeled off five unanswered points to win 15-10 to stay in the winner's bracket.
"I don't think the Olympics means as much to me as it does to MD (DODD). Don't get me wrong, it means the world to me, but it is my first Olympics. DODD is 39, this is his last. This is a learning experience for me," said ZAHNER.
DODD/WHITMARSH advance to play the fiery Brazilian partners ZE MARCO and Emanuel REGO. As usual, the Brazilian crowd will be raucous and vocal, swaying the home court advantage a bit.
"I need the crowd and cheers, " said DODD, who was exhorting the crowd throughout his first match. "I am an old man, I can't get enough of this. It is a once of a lifetime thing for me. The Olympic Village, the Opening Ceremonies, the athletes... I want to soak it all in so I can remember it forever."
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Nancy Smith.
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| More tickets were sold to the competitions of the 1996 Games than to any other Olympic Games or sports event in history. The 8.6 million ticket sales figures topped sales to the Los Angeles and Barcelona Games combined. |