The section I read in my book was about the Olympic trials. Everyone from all over the US were getting ready, and getting nervous. Days before the trials, Natalie's coach Teri Mckeever said "Obviously I'm nervous. It's such a tense atmosphere around here" (229). Everyone in the trials all had the same goal: make the Olympic team. Only few could make it, though, which probably was the reason for all the nervousness. Swimmers were feeling the nerves too. Mckeever said that "most people are going slower than you'd expect, and that's because this meet is so emotionally overwhelming" (229). Not only were the swimmers anxious for the meet, but sometime the nerves would end up affecting their performance. When there is a meet as big as the Olympic trials, there are bound to be a lot of nerves.
The meet is also an emotional one. Some ecstatic, some devastated. A former swimmer Amanda Hall said "you should see the warm-down pool. It's half chlorine, half tears" (236). Most of these tears were disappointed ones. Many swimmers childhood dreams of going to the Olympics had just been lost, and the were very upset. On the other hand, some were very excited. When Coughlin made it in her event. Coughlin was "dancing around in her black sweats like a prizefighter, all smiles" (242). She accomplished what she meant to do, and was now fulfilling her dream of going to the Olympics.
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4 comments:
Your comment about all the nerves affecting the swimmers performance is very true. I know that when I'm in an athletic event and the pressure is on, it make me really nervous but also gives a rush. I love the feeling of having to make something happen. Your quotes were great. They really enhanced what you were trying to say about the swimmers and the olympic trials! Great job!
I like the quote about how the pool was "half clorine and half tears". This presents a clear picture of the meet for me. Although she was obviously incredibly happy for making her event, I wonder if Coughlin ever felt a twinge of guilt for making it, when many of the people around her had just gotten their dreams crushed.
You helped to capture the atmosphere of a large and important athletic competition very well. I can relate to the part about getting nervous, and also at times about what it feels like to have dreams you worked so hard for lost. When it comes to athletics you never know what will inspire you, something as small as nerves can be a huge boost like you showed i this post.
Your quote about the pool being half water adn half tears is very interesting because we understand the intensity adn we get a feel of how the meet went. The reader can also relate to the nerves as many people pay sports and can understand the feeling surrounding a big event.
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