Difference between revisions of "The Moscow Games"
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Salnikov is in line with a fellow countryman and an Australian swimmer. 5 other competitors lag behind at various positions. The East German electronic clock indicates 00:05:00:00:00 as the head trio bounce off the pool's wall for a 10th time. The rhythm is steady on schedule to hit the targeted 15 minute mark. The 7500 spectators hold their breath in unison. | Salnikov is in line with a fellow countryman and an Australian swimmer. 5 other competitors lag behind at various positions. The East German electronic clock indicates 00:05:00:00:00 as the head trio bounce off the pool's wall for a 10th time. The rhythm is steady on schedule to hit the targeted 15 minute mark. The 7500 spectators hold their breath in unison. | ||
| − | By the doors, even the heavy armed guards are distracted from their duty as they peek into the pool to follow the race. All Moscow Olympic facilities are guarded by Red Army soldiers who have been called in to reinforce the Moscow Police contingent which operates at its limits. Two weeks before the opening of the Games, which are boycotted by most western Olympic teams, the KGB has received intelligence from their Makhachkala field office that pro-mujahedin trans-Caucasian Muslim insurgents might try to disrupt the | + | By the doors, even the heavy armed guards are distracted from their duty as they peek into the pool to follow the race. All of Moscow Olympic facilities are guarded by Red Army soldiers who have been called in to reinforce the Moscow Police contingent which operates at its limits. Two weeks before the opening of the Games, which are boycotted by most western Olympic teams, the KGB has received intelligence from their Makhachkala field office that pro-mujahedin trans-Caucasian Muslim insurgents might try to disrupt the event. |
00:10:09:04:63 freezes on the electronic board as Salnikov hits the 20 crossing mark. He is slightly ahead of his two closest competitors tailing less than a second behind, but not in time to beat his 1978 West Berlin record and for sure not in time to beat the world record which is even a second faster. Alexander knows this and clings to his father's hand even harder. | 00:10:09:04:63 freezes on the electronic board as Salnikov hits the 20 crossing mark. He is slightly ahead of his two closest competitors tailing less than a second behind, but not in time to beat his 1978 West Berlin record and for sure not in time to beat the world record which is even a second faster. Alexander knows this and clings to his father's hand even harder. | ||
| + | At every odd crossing, Salnikov who breath on the left side, tries to make sense of the 10 digits that scramble on the time board high up above the audience. Only the two in the middle are important. 11, 12, 13, 14.... He's not going to make it. His record, he doesn't care, the world record maybe but the 15" mark for sure. Not for him. For Oleg his best friend from the Leningrad Armed Forces Sports Society who just came back from war with no legs. Ever since they started training. The best friends duo had vowed that if they didn't break the 15" record at the Moscow Games, they'd stop competing. Oleg did not make the 1980 team and was sent to Afghanistan. | ||
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| + | 22nd crossing. Salnikov propels his body with such force that he emerges now leading 2 good seconds from the next swimmer. Alexander closes his eyes and imagines entering his idols mind.... | ||
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Revision as of 00:20, 8 October 2015
OUTLINE
Alexander, 11, in Tallinn during the Moscow Games.
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1500 METER RACE, OLIMPIYSKY POOL, MOSCOW, USSR, 22 JULY 1980
An eery silence bounces off the water at the Olimpiysky Sports Complex. Seaman Sergei Nikitin sits next to his 11 year old son Alexander high up in the bleachers. Vladimir Salnikov, 20, steps onto the start board, leans into position and jumps forward as the start shot is fired. Alexander's teeth grind against each others, his eyes widen up and his hand squeezes his father's as his hero resurfaces and begins his 30 pool crossings journey.
Attached to the same fleet as the Leningrad swimmer's father, a Sea Captain, Sergei was able to obtain a pair of complementary tickets for the sold out event. For Sergei, this is a major honor. For Alexander, this is It. He has been cheering for his hero ever since the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games when the then 16 year Salnikov finished 5th then broke a series of records before he would be given the chance to compete again at an Olympic competition.
Salnikov is in line with a fellow countryman and an Australian swimmer. 5 other competitors lag behind at various positions. The East German electronic clock indicates 00:05:00:00:00 as the head trio bounce off the pool's wall for a 10th time. The rhythm is steady on schedule to hit the targeted 15 minute mark. The 7500 spectators hold their breath in unison.
By the doors, even the heavy armed guards are distracted from their duty as they peek into the pool to follow the race. All of Moscow Olympic facilities are guarded by Red Army soldiers who have been called in to reinforce the Moscow Police contingent which operates at its limits. Two weeks before the opening of the Games, which are boycotted by most western Olympic teams, the KGB has received intelligence from their Makhachkala field office that pro-mujahedin trans-Caucasian Muslim insurgents might try to disrupt the event.
00:10:09:04:63 freezes on the electronic board as Salnikov hits the 20 crossing mark. He is slightly ahead of his two closest competitors tailing less than a second behind, but not in time to beat his 1978 West Berlin record and for sure not in time to beat the world record which is even a second faster. Alexander knows this and clings to his father's hand even harder.
At every odd crossing, Salnikov who breath on the left side, tries to make sense of the 10 digits that scramble on the time board high up above the audience. Only the two in the middle are important. 11, 12, 13, 14.... He's not going to make it. His record, he doesn't care, the world record maybe but the 15" mark for sure. Not for him. For Oleg his best friend from the Leningrad Armed Forces Sports Society who just came back from war with no legs. Ever since they started training. The best friends duo had vowed that if they didn't break the 15" record at the Moscow Games, they'd stop competing. Oleg did not make the 1980 team and was sent to Afghanistan.
22nd crossing. Salnikov propels his body with such force that he emerges now leading 2 good seconds from the next swimmer. Alexander closes his eyes and imagines entering his idols mind....