Northwestern University Athletics
The Last Race
8/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Aug. 18, 2004
ATHENS, Greece - Well, that was it. The last race at my first Olympic Games was awesome. It was definitely the best race I've had in a couple of months since the 400 IM at the NCAA Championships in New York.
It was incredible. Our Bulgarian team really helped me get pumped as we were walking out. My favorite music was on too. They played "Sandstorm" by Darude as we were walking out to the pool and when I heard the crowd go crazy, I got shivers up and down my back. I was swimming next to a Greek swimmer, so the crowd was even more rowdy and loud. My first 50 I felt great--easy speed and lightly out in 25.9. The second 50 was even better, felt real smooth with a 31.1 backstroke split. As I turned for the breast, I was still ahead and split a 34.8. On the last 50 sprint, I felt the concrete hit my arms and legs around the last 25 meters as I brought it home in a 2:02.3. My swim was a national record, so I was real happy about that as well.
I was surprised that Jani Sievennin didn't make the final. I mean he is a former world record holder and everything, but I guess it wasn't his day. The Greek that touched the wall ahead of me by .28 seconds sqeezed into the final with 16th place. I ended up being second reserve with 18th place--the best placing so far I've made at a world-championship meet.
The race was great and I've had a great Olympics. I wish I could have gone out faster in the breaststroke, but I learned a lot from that race. Everything else so far has gone as planned and on schedule. The FINA World Short Course Championships are in a month and a half, and I'm going to begin getting ready to perform better yet there.
Last night I watched the 800 free-relay and seeing the U.S. win was amazing. I definitely thought Thorpe would take on Keller, but I guess not. I realized that it's such a great opportunity to learn and compete at these Games. I am now so much more prepared and ready to take on any other meet since I've already competed in the world's fastest and strongest competition--everything else will have to seem a breeze.
This all is so far from the Olympic Games in Athens.
Sincerely,
Mike Alexandrov
