Auburn Is Golden at Beijing Olympics

by Jay Coulter on Aug 19, 2008 4:00 AM CDT in News Comment 4 comments

Kirsty Coventry led Auburn's gold rush at the Olympic games.

By Jay Coulter
jccoulter@gmail.com

I hope you'll oblige me today and let me veer away from football a little. Over the past week I've realized that most of us have missed out on something special. You probably already know what I'm talking about.

I'm referring to the Auburn swim team and the group of athletes that have represented the United States and other countries during these Olympic Games. We are all aware of the numerous national championships both the men and women's teams have won over the last decade. But to see them perform at this level on a world stage makes you realize how incredibly special the Auburn swim program is.

I'll admit I've never set foot in the Aquatic Center. Shame on me. I hope you've been smarter. If not, we've all missed out on seeing some of the best athletes in the world compete.

Sure football is big and shines a huge light on the University. But I would argue that during the first week of the Olympic Games, Auburn has gotten more exposure than at anytime in its history. It's a mighty big statement. But numbers don't lie.

Before some of the largest television audiences to ever watch an Olympics, Auburn dominated in a way no other University can claim. Michael Phelps and Dana Torres aside, Auburn was the big story of the Olympic swim competition.

On Friday night in a span of little more than a half hour, Auburn swimmers captured two gold medals and a silver. In a first for Auburn, Kirsty Coventry and Margaret Hoelzer took gold and silver in the 200m backstroke. Coventry, swimming for her native Zimbabwe, set a world record in the process.

A few minutes later, former Tiger Cesar Cielo, swimming for Brazil, won the gold medal in the 50m freestyle and set an Olympic record.

The following night, Auburn picked up more when Mark Gangloff added gold in the 400m medley relay. Matt Targett, swimming for Australia, took home the silver.

After a week in Beijing, Auburn swimmers racked up 13 medals; that's more than double the previous record. The 13 medals also give the Tigers the most of any university in the country. California was second with 10. The closest SEC school was Florida with eight.

Watching the Olympics to pass the time between now and football season, I became hooked. I didn't plan on pulling for Auburn until the end of the month. These athletes gave me a chance early and took me (and all of us) on one hell of a ride.

I'll be in Jordan-Hare Stadium two Saturdays from now. But I can't wait until the start of Auburn swim season. Who would have thought it?

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Well written....

Jay,

Thank you for taking time to discuss the Olympics and Auburn’s representation!!! You are exactly right; to say that the Auburn program is a special program is an understatement. David Marsh did an amaxing job to get it to what it is today. I hope that Richard Quick can maintain David’s success. I can say that I attended events at the aquatic center and was able to witness Kirsty Coventry, Margaret Hoelzer and Fred Bousquet, to name a few, in action. Furthermore I was able to witness US olympic athletes from other schools such as Garrett Weber-Gale while he was at Texas. I look back at those days now while watching the olympics and there are nothing but fond memories of watching them compete at the collegiate level as well as the rest of the athletes.

It is also worth nothing that the Auburn swimming and diving team redefines the word TEAM!!! They are a giant family rooting for each other equally from the time the first swimmer hits the water till the time the 8th place finisher touches the wall. And it doesn’t stop at swimming. The swimmers and divers equally root for each other. There is not a selfish bone in that team. It is really something special to see. So yeah, if you haven’t ever been…..GO; YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPOINTED!!!! To use the old cliche……IT IS NEVER TOO LATE!!! I can say that I will go back if I am ever in town during a meet!!!

by WDE on Aug 19, 2008 9:08 AM CDT reply actions

I must say...

…that I’ve heard Auburn’s name mentioned more often than any other school’s during this Olympics, and not just during swimming. There’s been a few during track and field, and not all of them wear the stars and stripes patch on their uniform.

What’s funny is that I don’t believe I’ve heard Rowdy Gaines mention us one time, only respond to something that another announcer said. I also haven’t heard David Marsh’s name mentioned once, and he’s the coach. Oh well. I haven’t watch every minute of it either…

by War Eagle Atlanta on Aug 19, 2008 9:51 AM CDT reply actions

Proud to be a Tiger

Jay & Everyone,

Over the last several days I’ve been one of those people who just haven’t been able to get enough of the Olympics. The pride I feel when watching our men and women compete on the world’s stage has been overwhelming. I find myself fist-pumping ecstatically to Walsh-Treanor pummeling volleyball foes, and cheering loudly when our ladies were winning medals during the gymnastics events. But beyond my national pride for Team USA, I’ve found even deeper pride in seeing current or former Auburn athletes compete, regardless if they are competing for USA or other countries. To hear Auburn University mentioned over and over as I’ve heard since the start of this Olympics has been amazing. Hands down, no other school has been mentioned as much as Auburn, trust me.

Swimming was electric for so many reasons. Micheal Phelps has been the biggest story in not only swimming but the entire Beijing Olympics itself and for good reason. He’s a freak of an athlete who’s competitive nature drove him to the top, and for that I’m so very proud because he’s earned 8 golds for ole Team USA. Beyond Phelps, my main focus has been Auburn’s influence on swimming on an international stage. It’s staggering, honestly. Watching Kirsty’s story was really moving knowing that she’s basically overcome so much to become the face of Zimbabwe’s Olympic glory. Of course, I didn’t mind hearing her say that choosing to go to Auburn University was the best decision she could have ever made wasn’t too shabby either.

Also, there’s been a number of athletes competing inside the “Bird’s Nest” in Track & Field events that have also trained at Auburn. Sure, I’ve heard LSU & FSU mentioned too, but again to hear Auburn mentioned is so great. And to know that all of these athletes who wanted the best training to ultimately be able to represent their own countries made the decision to go to Auburn over anywhere else in the US or even the world is truly amazing. But that just shows what an incredible athletic program we truly have. We are more than just football and more than just an SEC university. I think we sometimes forget that, but the Olympics have been a great reminder of our stance nationally and internationally. And that’s something that the other school across the state and it’s rabid fan base really can’t do much about. You know it’s got to eat at them just a little bit to hear Auburn’s name mentioned on an international stage. How’s that for our ole “cow college”? Haha!

War Damn Eagle!!

by crashmattb on Aug 19, 2008 2:08 PM CDT reply actions