Plus Ça Change, Plus C’est la Même Chose
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Every Olympic Games has its own personality, its own character and foibles. No matter where it may be in the world, no matter the culture of the locale, at their core they all face the same challenges and obstacles, all focused on the same objective – to build an Olympic experience that will exceed all that have gone before. Some are successful, others less so.
The essence of the problem lies in the fact of literally millions of people – spectators, athletes, officials, media, sponsors, VIPs – all arriving in one area on close to the same date, the overwhelming majority of whom have no idea of where they are going nor how to get there. Compounding the challenge is the fact that the vast majority of those charged with providing guidance and directions – volunteers – are also, often, from somewhere else and have only arrived in situ marginally ahead of the influx. The potential for chaos is distinct and often the reality.
Thankfully, the Olympic spirit pervades and, over the course of days, things settle down, people get a sense of how to get where they are going and good humor is the universal theme. These are the Olympic Games, after all.
Even though the Opening Ceremony did not take place until today, NYAC Games action started on Wednesday (July 24th), when the rugby sevens competition got underway. It is never fully explained why some events are scheduled before the Games proper get underway; presumably, it relates to accessibility of the facilities; Stade de France, home to the sevens competition, is also hosting track and field, the stadium events for which begin on Friday, August 2nd. The women’s rugby competition only concludes the day prior. That’s not a lot of time to reconstitute the stadium; however, it does explain why the sevens competition had to start so early.
NYAC members will have noted that the US men’s rugby sevens team included two NYAC members: Perry Baker and Steve Tomasin, both of whom played crucial roles as the competition unfolded. With two seven minute halves, one may imagine just how fast and intense sevens matches invariably are. The US team’s opener was made all the more so by the fact that they were facing the home team, France. Throughout, the game could have gone either way. Fittingly, it ended in a 12-12 draw.
The USA’s next clash, against Fiji, the two-time defending champions, was less fulfilling, bringing a 12-38 loss. Even so, Tomasin remained upbeat: “There aren’t many chances you get to play in the Stade de France,” he stated. “This is an iconic rugby stadium, and to open up a tournament against the hosts, a packed stadium and an Olympic opener, it’s what you dream about.”
Perry Baker certainly kept the USA’s medal hopes alive as the team continued its group play yesterday (Thursday, July 25th), this time against Uruguay. Possibly stung by Wednesday’s loss to the Olympic champions, the NYAC man went on a tear, scoring four tries, a record in Olympic competition, and spurring the team to a 33-17 victory, its first win of these Games.
Commented Baker, “”At the end of the day, it’s not about me, it’s about the team. If you look at those tries, every one came from someone doing their job, and my job is just trying to finish for those guys. That’s what it’s about. It’s a team effort all the way around.”
The USA’s 1-1-1 record left them tied with France for second place after the completion of group play, the top two teams automatically advancing to the quarter-final knock-out stage. The tie-breaker went to France; but the USA still got through by virtue of being the better of the two top third-place teams. So, next came Australia, winners of their group and the #2 ranked team in the tournament. Sad to say, that was where the US medal dream ended, as the Australians romped to an 18-0 victory, sending the Americans into the bracket to play for places five through eight. The USA’s first placement match will be against Ireland, taking place tomorrow (Saturday, July 27th), followed by the team’s final match later in the day.
To keep abreast of all schedules and results across all NYAC sports, just go – coincidentally enough – to the schedules and results page on this micro site.
Speaking of tomorrow, it is going to be the most hectic of the Games from an NYAC perspective. In addition to Baker and Tomasin in the rugby sevens, the Club will have competitors in cycling, fencing, judo, rowing, swimming and water polo. That’s a lot of people to keep track of. Especially notable will be the appearances of the US women’s water polo team, seeking its fourth consecutive Olympic medal, and Taylor Knibb in the road cycling time trial, the first of two sports in Paris in which she will compete, the other being the triathlon.
Following all of the pre-Opening Ceremony frenzy, today was, generally, a non-competition day (there were some shooting events) as anticipation built for a spectacular evening celebration along the Seine. Few will be unaware of the issues that dogged so innovative an Opening – the first ever to have been held outside of an Olympic stadium – and the vision of its creators was nothing short of remarkable and expansive. But, highlighted by performances from Lady Gaga and Celine Dion, when the Olympic cauldron was lit by former track star Marie-José Perec and judo legend Teddy Riner, it was an inspiring, uplifting, unforgettable occasion that set the stage for the catalog of inspirational athletic performances that are set to unfold over the next two-plus weeks. Sixty-three NYAC athletes will be in the heart of the fray, each writing their own page in the history of the Olympic Games and of the New York Athletic Club. We will follow all of the action here. Make sure to check back often. The Games have begun.