October 16, 2004

Campus Classic - Many BBT Supporters were at the 2004 edition of this race. See results at www.classicrace.com. Many of the winning teams had BBT connections.

Athens 2004 Olympic Games
-George Dales, Former WMU Head Track & Cross Country Coach

George Dales on right with Greek Flag

It was"Coming Back Home" time for the Athens 2004 Modern Olympic Games, after 104 years since the 1896 Games and 17 Centuries since the last Ancient Olympic Games in Greece. It was my 10th Olympic Game beginning back to the Helsinki 1952 Games just 5 months before coming to WMU as Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Education, Head Varsity and Freshman Track Team Coach, and Intramural Director, all for a fiscal year salary of $ 5,500.

Unfortunately I had to miss the 1956 Melbourne Games because they were held during November Cross Country season.

However, WMU was represented by Ira Murchison who placed 4th in the 100 meters and led-off the World Record 4 X 100 meter relay team. Ira trained here during one of the worst Fall weather conditions. We had no Fieldhouse and the snow was knee high on the Waldo Stadium cinder track. However, Ira had tied the legendary Jesse Owens, 100m World 10.2s Record at the late July Olympic Trials and later ran the 10.1s Record three times in Europe.

During trips to Athens back in October 2Q03, April and June 2004, I was one of the many who questioned if the Greeks would be ready for the Games in August. Politics and two previous years of bad weather bogged down all construction, including not only the competition site, but also transportation, communications, housing and security plans. The now famous newspaper and billboard cartoons showed a stadium worker painting the 100 meter finish line at the same time the starter was shooting the gun at the other end.

The Athens 2004 Olympic Games were a success miracle. Admittedly prejudiced, I join the many who can say the 2004 Games were the best ever.

In addition to all the track & field events at the beautiful modern Olympic Stadium, I attended the Women's final gymnastics team and Beach Volleyball. Before the Opening Ceremonies I also had the opportunity to visit all of the modern Olympic venues - via motorcycle, the most popular, convenient and fastest, but treacherous means of transportation in Athens.

Between morning and evening track sessions the common meeting place was at the Today TV show tent while medalists and coaches were being interviewed.

On the track the men's team won 19 medals and the women's 6. In addition the men had 3 and women scored 4 fourth places. Impressive were the 1-2-3 sweep in the men's 200 and 400 meters and 1-2 in the pole vault and long jumps. I was most impressed with Hawaiian and Asuza Pacific decathlete Brian Clay. He had won the USA Olympic Trials with 8660 points and improved 160 points to 8820, the second highest USA score ever behing Dan O'Brien.

Another most encouraging sign for the future is the increasing number of USA young collegians (and pros) who won medals, placed in the finals, or gained the Olympic Games experience.

Look for China to be a threat in 2008 and beyond to take over the total Olympic medal count.

George and Family with Mother and Daughter of Maurice Greene!

Greek Olympic Stadium in Olympia!

Remodeled 1896 Stadium; 2004 Marathon Finish!

It was a Glorious Homecoming for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games!

USA Track & Field Medals

Gold
Men
Gatlin - 100m
Crawford - 200m
Warner - 400m
Mack - PV
Phillips - LJump
Women
Hayes - 100H
4x400m Relay

Silver
Men
4x100m Relay
Williams - 200m
Trammell - HHurdles
Hemmingway - HJump
Moffit - LJump
Stevenson - PV
Nelson - ShotPut
Clay - Decathlon
Keflezighi - Marathon
Women
Williams - 100m
Felix - 200m

Bronze
Men
Greene - 100m
Gatlin - 200m
Brew - 400m
Women
Morrison - 100H
Kastor - Marathon

4th Place
Men
Crawford - 100m
Carter - 400mHurdles
Nieto - HJump
Women
Hennigan - 400m
Johnson - 400H
Acuff - HJump
Burrell - Heptathlon

October 4, 2004

Here is some updated information on the October 16th BBT Activities: