Connaughton shares Olympic thoughts
CHARLES REID
The GuardianNow that the 2008 Olympic Summer Games hoopla is over, it's time to reflect on the meaning of it all, the big picture, the whole enchilada, man's place in the universe.
OK, OK, before I warble verses from the space epic Cygnus X-1, a song from Canadian prog-rockers Rush about a man chasing a black hole in outer space, let's pull back a bit and narrow the focus to a few thoughts on the Games from New Haven sprinter Jared Connaughton.
Connaughton, 23, reached the semifinals in the men's 200-metres and the finals of the men's 4x100-metre relay in his first Olympics.
On Sunday, he sent the Guardian his impressions on the 4x100-metre relay qualifying heats, a tempestuous night marked by rain, disqualifications and dropped batons, and the final, which saw the Jamaicans - led by Usain Bolt (who won the 100-metres and 200-metres in world record time) and former 100-metres world record holder Asafa Powell - earn gold in a world record time of 37.10.
The Canadian team of Hank Palmer (lead), Anson Henry (second), Connaughton (third) and Pierre Browne (anchor) finished sixth with a time of 38.66 in Canada's first men's 4x100-metre relay final since capturing gold in 1996 in Atlanta.
Connaughton returns to P.E.I. on Tuesday. His flight lands at 11:30 p.m. at the Charlottetown airport.
Connaughton - On the 4x100-metre men's relay qualifying heat two, National Stadium, Beijing, China, August 21, 2008:"The 4x100-metre relay holds a special place in my heart so to gear up with the team was very exciting.
Once we saw our lane draw for the semifinal (lane two) against the Jamaicans and Brits everyone initially gulped, but after some reflection and study of our previous races both individually and as a team we knew that we were capable of making the final.
Waiting for the first semifinal to finish was nerve wracking to say the least, not to mention having to watch four of the eight teams either (be disqualified) or drop the baton.
Either way, we knew that regardless of what happened in that section, we had a plan and a goal, and a little rain, bad karma, and 91,000 fans screaming in your ear wouldn't get in the way of accomplishing those goals.
Once our first runner was called to the blocks was when I began to actually feel butterflies in my stomach, truthfully, for the first time since being at the Olympics (I felt no nervousness before the 200-metres runs).
The gun fired and the race was off.
After that everything is a blur.
Once I handed it off to Pierre our anchor leg, I knew we were in the final and a tremendous wave of relief passed over me and a strong sense of belonging really set in.
After the race, we went through the normal media mix zone where the press asked us all what our chances would be in the final, and essentially we all answered the same way: a medal!"
Connaughton - on the 4x100-metre men's relay final, National Stadium, Beijing, China, August 22, 2008:"We saw the lane draw early that morning and instantly were excited. Lane six. Outside Trinidad and Jamaica and inside Japan. A perfect opportunity to get in the mix for a medal.
It seemed like the whole team was in good spirits and excited about the opportunity to show the world what we had to offer. We had some great practice hand-offs at the warmup track outside the Bird's Nest and we knew we were ready to go once the final check-in call was announced.
As we entered the marshalling tent, the energy inside from the other teams was terrific. The Brasilians were shouting Portugese war cries, the Jamaicans were all dancing, the Germans were still. (A) very neat insight into how athletes from all around the world get pumped up.
When the officials brought the teams into the stadium, the crowd noise was electrifying, especially considering the Chinese team snuck in for the eighth qualifying spot the day earlier.
As each member dispersed to their respective zones, I knew that this was what I've always dreamed about: an Olympic final.
As the race time drew near, I prepared my checkpoint and ran a few acceleration runs and felt great.
The gun was raised, the runners became set and bang! The race was off.
Being on third leg never allows you much opportunity to evaluate the race, there is really no time to. However, I knew something was a bit off between Hank and Anson and their exchange seemed delayed.
Once Anson reached my checkpoint, we had really gotten out of the mix and behind the rest of the field. I did everything I could to make up some ground on Japan to the outside of us, but once I handed it off to Pierre, the rest of the field had really began pulling from us.
Jamaica went on to smash the previous world record by three-tenths of a second, which is a mile in track and field. We finished with a season's best of 38.66 and were sixth overall. Certainly not reflective of what our true potential was.
In the end, I continue to count my blessing and thank my family, friends, coaches for the all support and time invested into myself and to this team.
Making an Olympic final was sensational, now as a team we must go back to the drawing board, to prepare for the world championships in Berlin, Germany next July.
It's been a wild ride, and even after the race, I couldn't think of a place I'd rather be then inside the Olympic Stadium."
CHARLES REID
The GuardianAlthough Jared Connaughton didn’t win a medal at the 2008 Olympics Summer Games, he’s not returning home from Beijing, China with regret.
He lands on P.E.I. today at 11:30 p.m. at the Charlottetown airport.
“It’s been a wild ride and even after the (men’s 4x100-metre) race, I couldn’t think of a place I’d rather be than inside the Olympic Stadium,” Connaughton wrote in a recent e-mail to The Guardian. “In the end, I continue to count my blessings and thank my family, friends, coaches for the all support and time invested into myself and to this team.”
His 4x100-metre squad included Hank Palmer (lead), Anson Henry (second) and Pierre Browne (anchor). Connaughton ran the third leg. The foursome finished sixth with a time of 38.66 in Canada’s first men’s 4x100-metres relay final since capturing gold in 1996 in Atlanta.
Earlier last week, Connaughton reached the semifinals of the men’s 200 metres. Not a bad pair of results for the 23-year-old in his first Olympics.
But the relay was his only kick at the medal can and Connaughton drank in the spectacle.
“As we entered the marshalling tent, the energy inside from the other teams was terrific. The Brasilians were shouting Portugese war cries, the Jamaicans were all dancing, the Germans were still. (A) very neat insight into how athletes from all around the world get pumped up,” he said. “As each (Canadian) member dispersed to their respective zones, I knew that this was what I’ve always dreamed about: an Olympic final.”
The final, however, saw the Jamaicans — led by Usain Bolt (who won the 100-metres and 200-metres in world record time) and former 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell — earn gold in a world record time of 37.10.
Trinidad-Tobago earned silver in 38.06, which beat Britain’s gold-medal time of 38.07 in 2004, while Japan took bronze with a 38.15.
“I knew something was a bit off between Hank and Anson and their exchange seemed delayed. Once Anson reached my check point, we had really gotten out of the mix and behind the rest of the field,” said Connaughton. “I did everything I could to make up some ground on Japan to the outside of us, but once I handed it off to Pierre, the rest of the field had really began pulling from us.”
Like many Olympians, Connaughton will take some time off before returning to training in Arlington, Texas.
But there's not much rest as the track and field beat goes on.
“Making an Olympic final was sensational,” he said. “Now as a team we must go back to the drawing board to prepare for the world championships in Berlin, Germany next July.”
P.E.I.’s other Olympic athlete, modern pentathlete Kara Grant of Stratford, is scheduled to arrive back in Canada on Friday.
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