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57. Going For The Gold

© Judi S. Kaminishi

Of course I’ve been immersed with the 2002 Olympics, like millions of others… for several of my own reasons. One, I’m somewhat familiar with the Park City, Utah environs as that is where I’ve returned every January, for the past five years, to work with the Slamdance Film Festival; a film festival produced “By filmmakers, for filmmakers.” This year it was amazing to see all of the new construction, the venues for various events, and to feel some of the pre-Olympic fever that was catching hold of everyone. Alas, I purchased a tee shirt as a souvenir instead of the very coveted beret, thinking an Olympic logo covered shirt had more wearability.

My second reason for loving the Olympics is the general exposure we all have to different countries and foreign cultures, in spite of our limited and biased American television reporting. Just watching the opening ceremonies gives one a sense of greater magnitude that unites one in brotherhood with the world at large. This year was made even more special by the inclusion of an American Indian segment, where five native tribes helped to represent our American culture… a first “real, not reel” experience for many foreign countries I’m sure.

A third reason, and perhaps the most important, is how one cannot help but be inspired by all of the personal stories we learn about the various athletes. Stories of parental abandonment, physical ailments of liver disease, mononucleosis, broken necks, biases against age, financial hardships, etc., all add to the mystique of the human will power to overcome. I won’t even mention the incredibly unbelievable feats of human strength, endurance, and talent that are required to break world records and win such competitions. One shares each glorious moment with every single participant in the Olympics, whether they make it to that ceremonial podium or not.

It was no surprise how my dream last night involved this Olympic spirit and attitude.

Somehow I found myself deep in conversation with none other than Michelle Kwan, a favorite in the women’s figure skating competition. We were discussing her reasons to take responsibility for her own skating, to not rely on the support of a coach. I then asked about her agent and whether or not she was happy with him. When Michelle replied that she was most satisfied, I then had the gall to ask if she would be willing to set up an audition with her agent for a friend of mine. She responded in the affirmative, simply because my idea was so outrageous.