Princeton University Athletics
Sydney 2000
March 01, 2001 | General
I was one of the lucky people in the world to experience Australian hospitality firsthand and at its best. I was lucky enough to be on the USA Olympic swimming staff in Australia! Being elected to the Olympic staff was indeed an honor, and I was fortunate enough to have already served in Atlanta '96. I thought Atlanta was the highlight of my career as I was in my home country and on my first Olympic team--what an experience--until Sydney!
Sydney is a country that treats swimmers like pro football and basketball players and pays them a salary to match. For example, one night after swimming competition was over, I took a cab home to the Olympic Village from downtown Sydney. The cab driver debated me all the way home on whether the Americans had invested enough money in the training of distance swimmers in the USA. Australia has a deep respect and knowledge for any sport. Every day we were welcomed into their hearts and lives. Every day 18,000 Aussies paid incredibly high prices to come and watch their heroes.
Sydney is a fabulous city all on its own, and when you add the Olympic regalia it becomes paradise. The Australians ran a brilliant Olympics. Their hospitality and generosity was wonderful. The swimming pool was a swimmer's dream come true.
USA Swimming won 33 medals at the Games. It was the fastest and most exciting meet I have ever had the opportunity to witness. It was a swim meet for the record books. Working with the Olympians and being a part of history was simply awesome. I am really excited about bringing home so many fresh ideas about training to share with my athletes here at Princeton.