It was Sept. 2000, when I flew to Sydney for the summer Olympics. It was my 3rd Olympics, having attended L.A. in 1984 and Barcelona in 1992. I was over the moon excited and it met that expectation.
Going with the U.S. Track & Field Association meant access to all the tickets for Athletics and random other events if you were interested and there was availability. We stayed an hour’s train ride east of Sydney in Penrith which was half way to the Blue Mountains. Being right by the equestrian and regatta center, we were able to see some rowing events. Most of the rowers and the equestrians stayed at our hotel. It was surreal to be walking through the lobby and see a small crowd of very enthusiastic folks shouting and hooting at the medal winners walking into the lobby. Gold, silver, and bronze medals were hanging around their necks and the joy on their faces was indescribable.
This week, returning to Sydney for the first time, I was flooded with memories and nostalgia. Rain pouring in the stadium for the first night of track & field and stopping all events for an hour. Watching the first Aboriginal woman, Cathy Freeman, win a gold medal in the 400. At the medal ceremony which followed, I remember looking around amused as the adult Aussies mumbled the words to their new national anthem while their kids sang loudly. (Turns out they had stopped singing God Save the Queen and got a new anthem in 1984, but no one over 25 had learned it). Also standouts: going to Manly beach, eating barramundi for the first time, and taking the ferries back and forth across the harbor.
Overlooking all of Sydney is the Sydney Harbor Bridge. I climbed to the top of that bridge which is 440 feet above the waterline. We walked all the way across the bridge – up to the top and then down to the other side – about 3800 feet, 1300 stairs and lots of ladders. We wore jumpsuits; no cameras or jewelry were allowed and we had to lock in and unlock every 20 feet or so. The views were unbelievable and the thrill of completing the journey felt a little Olympian.
When I look up at that bridge now, I’m glad I did that lovely journey then. I THINK I could still do it, but it is kinda nice to give myself a pass on that challenge. I whisper to myself: been there, done that.
My suggestion to you is: don’t miss an opportunity to climb that bridge, or ride those rapids. You don’t ever know if you will get another chance.
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