Carla-Mae's Olympic Journal: August 14, 2004

DAWN OF A NEW DAY – Another day is beginning with the haze shrouding the mountains in view outside the apartment window and the rooster crowing as if the day would never start. Yesterday was a disappointment for the athletes as they had been so prepared to meet whatever foe they encountered. Yet, it is so difficult to put all the pieces together bout after bout in the Olympic competition surroundings. Both Keeth and Ivan fenced extremely strong in their first bout and were certainly ready for their next opponents, but opponents who have a solid record of medal performances at world class competitions.

Their opponents, too, knew they had to win – for them it would have even greater impact on the quality of their lives. So in the round of 16 Ivan and Keeth succumbed to these fencers who were better than they on that day at that moment in time. For Jason, it was a disappointment that he lost his first bout in the 32. There are those times, as we all know, when it just does not click, the pieces are there but they do not work cooperatively. And so it was to be for Jason Rogers. Still another day awaits them all to prove their mettle, the 19th of August, the day of the sabre team competition.

Today, Sunday, 15th of August, Kamara James will step on the strip at noon, local time, to face Lougounov to see who will advance to the round of 16.

The stands at the competition were probably 70% filled with people coming and going depending on who was fencing or who had just finished. There are a number of American fencing devotees in the audience, relishing the Olympic fencing drama. With seat assignments of the tickets they cannot all sit together to cheer in unison, yet all the voices can be heard in support of our fencers.

Excitement pervades the atmosphere throughout the Village and the ACG with so many sports starting their competitions. When not at the venues or checking out the town, many are glued to the televisions in the lounges watching different sports at the Games. Unfortunately we lose half of the enjoyment with commentaries all in Greek!!! For some they will be able to look at it when they go home as friends tape the Games but for the rest of us it will be just watching the actions without the interpretations of the television broadcasters!!

STAFF ROLES

Several people have asked just what do the different staff positions entail so I will take a moment to give a thumb nail sketch of the responsibilities.

The team captain: shall represent the fencers in all matters dealing with the Directoire Technique; shall make decisions, in consultation with the Coaches, as to the personnel competing in team events; provide direction, team discipline, cohesion and team strategy. This is taken from the USFA Code of Conduct that any member of an official team of the USFA must read and sign. The captain is the spokesperson for the US delegation with the FIE and its competition delegates operating the international tournament. Protests or concerns about the operation of the tournament are in the purview of the team captain. The role of the captain at the Olympic Games and his or her interaction with the FIE is greatly diminished at the Games in comparison to the role at the World Championships. The rules are very definitive at the Games and the tournament operation is strictly enforced with very little latitude.

The team manager or called the team leader under USOC guidelines for USOC sponsored teams: The Manager shall handle all details of organization (transportation, room and board, etc.) before and during the trip; will also provide necessary aid to the team during the competition; will make arrangements for training sites and distribute information relative to the competition. This section again taken from the Code of Conduct.

The US Olympic Committee (USOC) defines the position of team leader as

follows:

1.The Team Leader is the primary coordinator from the NGB and/or PSO for planning for participation and for coordination at the Games site with the USOC International Games Division. 2.The Team Leader is required to attend all administrative meetings before and during the Games as scheduled by the USOC. 3.The Team Leader is responsible for appropriate conduct of the NGB’s athletes in that sport at the Games. 4.The Team Leader’s duties include coordination of: A. Transportation arrangements B. Uniforming C. Housing D. Meals E. Tickets F.Attendance by appropriate delegation personnel at all technical meetings for their sport G. Accreditation of personnel 5.The Team Leader must be on hand, at a minimum, one-day before the team processes with USOC until the departure of the last athlete on their team from the Games site. 6.The Team Leader will be responsible, as necessary, for all follow-throughs after the Games regarding submission of reports and accounting information. 7. In order to be selected to the position of Team Leader, an individual must have: A.Experience and proven ability leading teams at the national and international levels. B.Proven ability to establish harmonious relationships with athletes and other team personnel. C.Proven ability to handle crisis management situations as well as routine administrative duties.

The USFA staff liaison works with the team leader or team manager at the major international delegations to assist in many of the managerial tasks and to accommodate those members of the delegation living outside the Village or team housing. This position is an adjunct and will incorporate responsibilities similar to that of the team manager. The staff liaison person now does most of the travel and housing arrangements prior to the team’s departure to alleviate the burden that team managers have had in the past.

Daily team meetings are held to review the past day’s events and the upcoming day’s schedule so everyone is clear on who has to be where when. Also any problems or concerns are handled at that time to ensure continued smooth operation of the team.