Perseverance

No, you can't always get what you want
And if you try sometime you find
You get what you need

As I sit in Singapore reflecting on the events of 8-8-08, I recall the lyrics of Mick Jagger. You can want something so bad in life, whether that be material things, wealth, happiness or in my case a life long goal, but sometimes things get in the way and you don’t achieve these things. I have felt this way for so long. When I missed qualifying for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, I felt like I was still too young and immature in this sport to be extremely upset. I was nowhere near my peak in terms of age, so I was not heart broken. At the time I was still a Jayhawk at the University of Kansas and I had two more years of competition in the NCAA to look forward to.

The Canadian delegation prepares to depart for the opening ceremonies

On the other hand, the 2004 Olympics were a heart breaker. I was EXPECTING to qualify for these Games. How do you take not achieving a life time goal? At the time I felt like life was over! You train for four years with the expectation of making a team and in the end, you get nothing. I recall standing at the back of the runway in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada at the 2004 Olympic trials with one throw left to qualify for the Olympic Games.

Yao Ming - China's Flag Bearrer

Down the runway,

Carry your speed,

Hand High,
Quick to the block,

Finish the throw!

NOTHING but Tears.

Tim Barett (50Km Race Walk) and Nicole Forrester (High Jump) wait for the athletes parade to start.

Most of you know my 2005 season. I was determined to redeem myself. My funding from Sport Canada was dropped and Nike dropped me. I was determined to prove everyone wrong! It was extremely easy to train with a chip on my shoulder. Every session, I would think of the people who doubted my ability. If a run or a lift was difficult, I would think, “They don’t think you can do this!” Training went great all year. The only problem was I was not seeing the result in meets.

Tim Barett and myself sweating enough to fill the swimming pool in the water cube. I lost 4 lbs.

It’s extremely difficult to feel like you are as fast, as strong and as ready to throw far as you ever have been and get nothing in terms of results. I felt ready all year. I even warmed up that year at the KU Relays at 82m (really far for warming up). All I could manage all year was 73m to 75m. What I thought was going to be my last chance to qualify for the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland was the Canadian Championships in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I threw 77m which was a great throw in the monster of a head wind that we threw into, but not far enough to make the team. I WAS DONE!

Massimo Bertocchi (Decathalon) and myself on the infield at the opening ceremonies.

Most people say I quit or I’m done or I’m retiring and really don’t mean it (like Brett Favre). I really mean I was quitting! Luckily, I was talked into and sponsored by a very generous donor to do two more meets. I Travelled to Ottawa, Ontario and first competition, first throw, VOILA! 84.41m! NEW CANADIAN RECORD! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViZ4c1uU7uQ)

The Olympic Tower - The diamonds on the tower at broadcast booths for major broadcast companies.

There is obviously two more seasons that lead up to this point, but here I stand at the entrance to the “Bird’s Nest”. I am approximately 100m from entering the Olympic opening ceremonies. I am standing with approximately 150 other Canadian athletes about to experience the greatest experiences in the Olympic Games, the opening ceremonies.

You think about the opening ceremonies, what stands out to you as a moment that you will remember for the remainder of your life? Entering the stadium? The first sight of the crowd? The Parade of athletes? Seeing Roger Federer, Dirk Nowitzki, or the entire USA Men’s Basketball Team? The lighting of the torch? No.

The Canadian delegation moments away from expereincing one of the greatest opening ceremonies in Olympic history.

As I stand in the tunnel, 100m from entering the stadium, the entire Canadian delegation starts to sing the national anthem! I still get chills thinking about that moment. As the anthem ends, “O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.” The Chills run up my spine. I begin to think of the work that was put into making this dream a reality. The countless number of hours running, jumping, throwing, the weights, my coaches, my family, 2005 when I almost quit, the doubters, and the believers. I think of the perseverance, that I now realize I had in the face of the hard times that athletes (not only myself, but thousands of others) go through to make it to the Olympic Games.

Middle Eastern athletes enjoying the opening ceremonies

I am grateful to have the family and friends that I have met from being in this crazy sport. Without the thousands of people that have made an impact on my life, I would not be here. The support that I have been given to this point is what has inspired my performance to date. I am here, because I love throwing the javelin, which at times was gone, but in this very moment has never been greater. I love this sport and the experiences that I have been given from it.

And if you try sometime you find
You get what you need

There are more of my photos posted on my photo webpage at:

http://www.jpgmag.com/people/sr90

On my WAY!

And “IT” finally begins! I have waited for this trip to start for over 12 years. Imagine you have set a goal for yourself and your life and it is finally occurring. How would you feel? Excited, elated, and blown away? I’m can honestly say that I’m excited about the opportunity that lies ahead of me, but in a somewhat strange way I am quite calm and relaxed.

I may be relaxed because I have no choice because I have to sit on this Boeing 747 for 12 ½ hours. That makes a little more sense now. I had a really surreal moment today in Chicago O’Hare Airport today. As I walk to gate C 16 I realize that a majority if not all the people on my flight are traveling to Beijing for the Olympic Games. There seems to be an anxious feel in the air. You can tell that everyone is excited to go to Beijing. I wonder if they all feel the same as I do.

Chicago O'hare tunnel.

The short flight from Kansas City International was a breeze. One and a half hours, not a bump. When I arrived in Chicago, I had about a three hour lay over. I figured that I would have more than enough time to sit around and do nothing on the plane. So I went on a short walk to see a bit of the airport. The lights in the tunnel between terminal B and C are still cool (if you have ever been through Chicago O’Hare, you know what I mean. As I arrive at my gate, I figure I better try to get a better seat than 58G. That’s right, back of the bus! I attempted to upgrade my seat to business class or first class, even tried to get an exit row for the flight. But the gate attendant said, “I understand that you are a very tall gentleman (Side note - I’m 6’9” and easily the tallest person on the flight by 7”), but we have over sold business and first class and there are no open seats in Economy.” I thought to my self, “I wonder if this person has ever had their knees driving into the back of the seat in front of them for 12 hours? Not a chance! She is 5’2”.” I could usually do it for an hour or two, but 12 to 13 hours is just too long? If the seat in front of me wasn’t so close, I would take a pic. But you know what? I’m on my way to the Olympic Games!

Ready to board!

Now, I am stuck on a plane for 12 to 13 hours. What fun can you have on a plane for that may hours? Not a lot. However, there is a large group of family and friends of US Swimming on the flight. I received more than a few good lucks from them. I also met a man named Robert Andrews, who is a sports psychologist and works with one of the US gymnasts (I believe his first name is Raj). His athlete was one of the alternates in 2004 and was supposed to be the same this year. However, Paul Hamm, reigning All-around Olympic champion pulled out with an injury. Which gave Robert’s athlete has a huge opportunity that just a few weeks ago was not an option. As I look at this story, you realize that there are hundreds, if not, thousands of athletes at these games that have a story of struggle. And I look forward to hearing a few more of them.

Well, it’s 5:00am in China and I only have another 10 hours left, so I better try to get some sleep.

The main street of the Olympic Village

Room with a view. Off to the right of this photo is the "Bird's Nest". But you can't see it because of smog.

What a surprise! When I arrive at the Beijing Airport (2:30pm Aug 7th) my javelins show up, but not my cloths. Long and short of it is that I think the person working the United Airlines desk in Kansas City put the wrong tag on my bag. Upon filing a lost bag report, I notice that my name is not on my baggage claim ticket, but Deborah McVey’s name is on my claim receipt. I’m not really sure how this one happened, but if something weird and messed up can happen, it will happen to Scott Russell (forgive the third person narrative). The plus side of this story is that I went in for my Olympic apparel fitting tonight at 8pm. So I do have some cloths. I’m just lacking some underwear.

But you know what? I'm at the Olympic Games!