This will be our last games. It has been a journey that has taken us to Australia twice, to South America twice, to Europe, The US, across Canada and now to Asia. The next 3 weeks will be spent working hard, but experiencing a once in a lifetime event. I often must catch myself to stay in the moment, I often reflect on past experiences, always the positive ones! This photo is of us after the games in Athens, 2004
……………..June, 2000, Olympic and Paralympic Trials
We were driving back to the hotel, after the 100 back, S 11 final at the 2000 Paralympics Trials. Deborah and I were in familiar territory even though we had left Montreal nearly a quarter of a century earlier.
Donovan was seated in the back seat, the radio was playing, and spontaneously he volunteered ‘I visualized this for weeks before the race.’ I asked,’ what exactly do you mean?’ Donovan replied, ‘ For weeks I have visualized listening to this station and this program after having made the 100 back time!’ I was amazed; we both shared the tension of making this time and it would have helped me if he had shared this information! He had now accomplished the first goal of the meet, and was able to relax just a little for his upcoming events.
The last 9 months had been in preparation for these Trials. We had to learn about selection criteria and strategize which events on which to concentrate to maximize his chances.
Originally selection was to be based on the ‘World Point Charts’, a document designed by Swim Canada based on world record times, that there would be a ‘standard’ time that had to be swum. If that time were fast enough then the time would be ‘ranked ‘ according to world rankings developed by the International Paralympic Committee. In the case of a tie with these rankings then the points from the ‘world Point Charts’ would break the tie. A little complicated, but at least the times that were currently being posted in the world were now made relevant.
In Donovan’s category these ‘world Point charts’ were significantly skewed by the performances of John Morgan, a superb swimmer who progressively went blind in the 1980’s. His world records are unlikely to be touched by any swimmer born blind.
This was our first away meet with the Dolphins. The Pacific Dolphins were highly organized. There were four coaches in attendance: Tom Johnson, Randy Bennett, Steve Price and Derrick Schoof. In addition there were 3 chaperones to prepare meals and problem solve, a physiotherapist and a sports psychologist. The team had 5 vans available plus I had rented a car so that Deborah and I could travel together. This degree of organization was both reassuring and intimidating. It helped to remind us that this meet was important and that it was worth all the energy and sacrifice.
There was also a Rosemere connection, Barb Deglau. Barb and I are from the same hometown, and swam together as children. Her daughter, Jessica, had already made the Olympic team based on her previous performances. Barb was an endless supply of information and practical advice.
In order to be considered for the team he had to swim under 1:19.85 for the 100 back. He had done it, just barely in 1:19.82.We had only decided to swim the event 6 weeks prior as we did not know it had been placed back on the event sheet. In another twist of events we had noticed that the 200 IM was also offered. We had been concentrating on the 100 free as we felt this was his strongest event. At the last moment he was entered into the 200 IM as well. In the end he qualified for the 100 free, 100 back, 200 IM and 50 free.
The last event was the 50 free. During finals the swimmers are introduced and wave to the fans. His wave before a race is now legendary. It is a bizarre elevation of both limbs reminiscent of a rock musician trying to play a piano 3 feet above his head.
His teammates had stayed back to cheer and their noise was resounding. The start was a little cautious but he quickly established his rhythm. For the first time at the finish I saw him accelerate into the wall. The race completed a meet of best times, quite an accomplishment and he was justifiably proud.
In the lobby we met with family and friends. One of the spectators was Carla young, one of the best swimmers I had coached 30 years earlier. She was so enthusiastic about Donovan’s race even commenting to Donovan that I had never been able to get her to break 30 seconds for the 50-meter free!
The eight-day meet was now complete, time to focus on the exams ahead and then on a long summer of preparation for October in Sydney. He had accomplished an unlikely goal with hard work and the support of many. It was time to savor this accomplishment. There would be ample time to focus on the preparation for the games.
………April, 2008, the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Trials
We stayed in the same neighborhood as 2000, a Marriott Hotel in Westmount. This time there were no vans, all would take the subway. This was a much more rational plan for the Dolphins, eliminating the vagaries of Montreal traffic and making the athletes responsible for getting to the pool on time. It also would act, as rehearsal for the Games, there will be no team vans, rather a local shuttle from the village to the Cube.
Each day we walked to the Atwater subway station, across from the Forum. This brought back fond memories from so many years ago when I watched the Canadiens .It was a time when Lafleur, Shutt, Lemaire, Gainey, and Dryden were in their 20’s. I used to amble from my St Mark St. apartment and get discounted seats from scalpers.
Canadian swimming had gone over a huge transformation in the last 8 years. In 2000 the seats were only full on the last night, in 2008 the meet was sold out!! In fact seats were being scalped. The meet was being televised both live on CBC and on the Internet. Canadian swimming was back!
For Donovan the trials were huge contrast from 2000. He had been to 2 previous Games and been successful in winning 2 silver and 2 bronze medals. He was ranked in the top 6 in the world for the events he would be swimming. There was no question he would be on the team. He was now a seasoned competitor, he was at the end of a training cycle and was rested. This was to be a test of where he was with his training program, and from a coaching point of view a critical measure.
In Beijing he would be swimming in 5 events, his best opportunity and highest ranking is the 400 free. For the last 3 years he had consistently swum the fastest times, but lately there had been a quantum improvement from the Spaniard , Mohamed, and the young Chinese swimmer Bozun Yang. Based on test sets he could easily go 4:42 or better.
Every time we race it is to go best time. The 400 was a disappointment. 4:53. No shortage of effort but not the execution we had practiced. Surprisingly his lactate levels were especially high after finals even though his times were about the same. His other events were much closer to best times and much more solid swims.
We had been working very hard since September, I was troubled that the results did not reflect the work he was doing and more troubled that there was a disconnect between test sets and performance.
What a contrast in emotions from 8 years previous. There was pride but no elation. The goal to the podium was in no way as easy as it had been in Athens
We both knew there had to be a change in the program to address lactate tolerance and to confront mental preparedness for competition.
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