In honor of #OlympicDay, USA Wrestling staff share their favorite Olympic memory
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by USA Wrestling staff members
Every year, June 23 is recognized internationally as #OlympicDay. The 2020 year was supposed to be a year for the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Olympics have been pushed back one full year, and are scheduled for 2021.
We don’t have an Olympics this year, but we all have Olympic memories.
In recognition of the impact of the Olympics on our society, and the special place in our hearts that the Olympic Games have for so many of us, we have asked our U.S. wrestling family to go on USA Wrestling’s social media platform to complete this sentence: My favorite Olympic memory is _________
In a spirit of fun, we have also polled the USA Wrestling national staff for their favorite Olympic memory. Here is what our staff members have shared so far:
Clarissa Chun, Assistant National Women's Coach, 2012 Olympic bronze medalist
Favorite memory: My first match at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China
Why: This is a tough one! I have so many great Olympic memories, it's difficult to choose one! One of my personal favorite Olympic memories was walking out for my first Olympic match in 2008 against Sofia Mattsson. The energy I felt walking out was focused and electric! I'd lost to Sofia Mattsson three times that year, but I was in the zone and doubt never crossed my mind. I was completely in the moment and I can only recall a few moments of the match in my mind. I felt honored to represent TEAM USA and inspired hearing the chants of U-S-A walking off the mat, moving on towards my desired goal. It is a memory I will never forget.
Ryan Johnson, Director of Marketing and Sales
Favorite memory: Watching Michael Johnson set a new world record in the 200m in his gold shoes at the 1996 Games.”
Why: I distinctly remember watching this race as a kid and for the first time falling in love with the Olympics and Team USA. I had Michael Johnson’s poster from Sports Illustrated for Kids hanging in my room. A few years ago I had the chance to visit the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, where they have one of Johnson’s gold shoes on display. It was a great experience to actually see up close not only one of the most iconic elements in Team USA history and but also the spark that ignited my love for the Olympics.
Christina Hargrove, Events Coordinator
Favorite memory: Gymnast Kerri Strug's final vault at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics
Why: My favorite Olympic memory was watching Kerri Strug complete her final Vault Jump with an injured ankle. Her heart and determination lead Team USA to its first team All-Around gold. I remember watching in awe of her strength.
Kevin Jackson, Assistant National Freestyle Coach, 1992 Olympic champion
Favorite memory: Olympic Games closing ceremony
Why: The atmosphere is much different than opening ceremony. It’s festive and relaxed, even though athletics are concluding. Upon entering the stadium, I noticed how organized and well dressed (coat and tie) the officials were on the stadium floor. Then I noticed runners warming up on the track in preparation for their medal run. I saw a female Fosbury flop over the high bar then a javelin fly through the night air. That’s when it hit me; the greatest sense of achievement I’ve ever experienced, that feeling that it was all well worth it. I realized that I was now a part of history, the same history Muhammad Ali, Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens and Mary Lou Retton, experienced. The feeling was overwhelming and I carry it with me to this day!
Taylor Miller, Communications Manager
Favorite memory: Helen Maroulis’ gold medal in 2016
Why: The Olympic memory that stands out most to me is when Helen Maroulis became the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic gold in wrestling. It’s one of my favorites for a couple of reasons. First, it was just so freaking monumental, especially considering that she took down a legend. Second, it was one of my first weeks on the job, and I, along with several other USA Wrestling staff members, watched the historic moment in the conference room. It was such a special moment to witness and celebrate with my new wrestling family. An honorable mention has to be when Coleman Scott, a fellow Oklahoma State alum and a coach I was working with at the time, won his bronze medal in 2012. The ONLY reason this isn’t No. 1 is because it was the first freestyle event I had ever watched, and to be honest, I had no idea what was going on. (Thank goodness for the rule changes!)
Haley Scherr, Executive Assistant
Favorite memory: Watching the Olympics on TV with my family
Why: The Olympics brought my family together, much like the Sunday Disney family movie night. It reminds me a much simpler time. I love the memories of my family of 5 and eventually 6 piled onto our one couch and small living room in front of our small dial TV to cheer on the United States! I remember the excitement of watching the next athlete approach the beam, the ice, the track. My favorites then were Dorthy Hamill and Mary Lou Retton. My little sister even chopped her hair for a Dorthy Hamill “do.” What I never dreamed of was eventually working for an Olympic Sport, marrying an Olympian and truly being part of the Olympic movement. I’ve met so many athletes that I watched growing up and so many more. The Olympic family is such a special one and I’m honored to be a part of it.
Mary Beth Powers, Controller
Favorite: Muhammad Ali lighting 1996 torch; First time in the Olympic wrestling venue.
Why: I have so many Olympic memories. Having been a wrestling fan for many years, and with wrestling being my favorite sport, there is no "professional" level, so the Olympics are the pinnacle of the sport.
1) I am fortunate enough to have my dream job, working for USA Wrestling, so I have been privileged to have the opportunity to attend the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games as a volunteer. I have so many memories from Atlanta, like being at the Opening Ceremonies, and only a few sections away from where the Olympic Flame was to be lit. There had been all kinds of rumors flying around the volunteers and spectators about who would be lighting the flame. It was truly a moment for goose bumps and emotional tears at that moment when the spotlight hit the person who would be lighting the flame, and it was Muhammad Ali. All of the spectacle and extravaganza of the Opening Ceremonies were brilliant, but that was truly a historic moment that I will never forget.
2) A more personal, but no less meaningful, memory is of the moment when I first walked into the Olympic wrestling venue. For years I had been watching the Olympics and cheering for my wrestler friends in the Olympic Games... and now I was actually present where the Olympic wrestling would take place. The years of thinking of this pinnacle of the sport and the memories of prior Games and supporting our wrestlers from afar were swirling around in my head, and I almost could not believe that I would actually be present and be assisting as a volunteer. I was so proud to be there, and representing USA Wrestling, and almost just to be there in the venue was nearly overwhelming. All of the time in that venue, at the Olympic wrestling, was amazing and awe-inspiring, at least to me, but that first moment of being there, of realization, was a memory I will always cherish.
Mike Willis, Communications Coordinator
Favorite memory: Rulon Gardner's 2004 Olympic bronze medal match
Why: My favorite Olympic memory is Rulon’s bronze medal match at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. It was the first time I saw a wrestling match on television. After the match, Rulon took his shoes off and left them in the center of the mat. It was a powerful moment that stuck with me even more so than the match itself.
Laura Peeters, Safe Sport Director
Favorite memory: Nadia Comaneci at the 1976 Olympics
Why: I remember watching the 1976 Olympics as a 7 year-old. I was a recreational gymnast at the time and Nadia Comaneci was a Romanian 14-year-old gymnast who was the first gymnast to be awarded a perfect score of 10.0. She subsequently received six more perfect 10s for various events, including 5 gold medals, 1 silver medal and 1 bronze. She simply dominated the event. I was so inspired by her strength, power, grace and perfection that I wanted to follow in her footsteps. That didn’t happen.
Lorraine Rorabaugh, Donor and Alumni Relations
Favorite memory: Nadia Comaneci, Usain Bolt, Apollo Ohno, Rulon Gardner, 1980 Miracle on Ice
Why: There are so many memories of past Olympic Games that replay in my mind. I don’t have just one. I remember watching Nadia Comaneci, and wanting to be like her. Usain Bolt and his speed, Apollo Ohno and his power, Rulon Gardner and his victory and, of course, USA Hockey defeating Russia. When I re-watch that hockey game, my heart pounds with excitement like it did the first time seeing it. I’m always in awe watching athletes around the world compete at the Olympic level. These are the best of the best! It’s such an honor to work with USA Wrestling and get to know our coaches and athletes. Their work and training ethic and genuine kindness is unlike any other professional athlete I’ve known or admired. What a great experience to be here!
Rich Bender, Executive Director
Favorite memory: 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta
Why: I’m the first to admit that I’ve been blessed by this sport beyond measure. Being around USA Wrestling for over the past three decades has exposed me to some of our sport’s greatest moments. Incredible Olympic victories and heart wrenching Olympic defeats have certainly filled my memory inbox. The one moment that really stands out for me was the manner in which the Wrestling Family came together to host one of our sport’s greatest wrestling presentations, the 1996 Olympic Games. In a Games that is recalled by many as one that fell short from an organizational standpoint, our sport had a very different experience. Due to the tireless efforts of literally hundreds of “wrestling volunteers,” the wrestling portion of those Games is now somewhat legendary. In traditional form, our wrestling volunteers stepped up and committed to a “do whatever it takes” mentality. They made sure that challenges would not negatively impact our wrestlers and spectators. It included making special personal shuttle runs to move athletes and coaches when the transportation system failed, to finding ways to show hospitality to all our International Guests when the bigger Games Organization could not. The US Wrestling Family came together around a common and simple goal: make it the best wrestling experience for everyone that attended. As a result, the wrestling portion of the Games came off without a hitch and is still regarded by many as one of the best wrestling competitions ever. That was inspiring to see and is to this day one of my fondest Olympic Wrestling memories.
Gary Abbott, Communications Director
Favorite memory: Rulon Gardner’s MPC press conference after beating Alexander Kareline
Why: I have a tie for my three favorite on-the-mat memories: seeing in person the U.S. flag rise for an Olympic wrestling gold medal for first time in 1988, Rulon Gardner’s 2000 Olympic gold and Helen Maroulis’ 2016 Olympic gold. But my favorite memory was Rulon Gardner’s press conference at the Main Press Center in Sydney, Australia on the night he defeated “the unbeatable” Alexander Kareline. Gardner met with all the press who were not in the arena in Darling Harbour for the actual match. The room was packed. We put Rulon on the stage along with his family members, and they all answered questions. This is where the legend began, the story about the big kid from a Wyoming milk farm that nobody knew about. It was magnificent. That night, at about 3:00 a.m., when all the media interviews were done, I wrote a column entitled “Rulon Gardner is the king of the world.” And he was. He was the biggest story of the entire 2000 Olympic Games.
Editor’s Note: If we receive a few more, we will add them in as we get them. We encourage all members of the wrestling community to post their favorite Olympic memories on our Twitter or Facebook pages. Happy #OlympicDay2020
We don’t have an Olympics this year, but we all have Olympic memories.
In recognition of the impact of the Olympics on our society, and the special place in our hearts that the Olympic Games have for so many of us, we have asked our U.S. wrestling family to go on USA Wrestling’s social media platform to complete this sentence: My favorite Olympic memory is _________
In a spirit of fun, we have also polled the USA Wrestling national staff for their favorite Olympic memory. Here is what our staff members have shared so far:
Clarissa Chun, Assistant National Women's Coach, 2012 Olympic bronze medalist
Favorite memory: My first match at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China
Why: This is a tough one! I have so many great Olympic memories, it's difficult to choose one! One of my personal favorite Olympic memories was walking out for my first Olympic match in 2008 against Sofia Mattsson. The energy I felt walking out was focused and electric! I'd lost to Sofia Mattsson three times that year, but I was in the zone and doubt never crossed my mind. I was completely in the moment and I can only recall a few moments of the match in my mind. I felt honored to represent TEAM USA and inspired hearing the chants of U-S-A walking off the mat, moving on towards my desired goal. It is a memory I will never forget.
Ryan Johnson, Director of Marketing and Sales
Favorite memory: Watching Michael Johnson set a new world record in the 200m in his gold shoes at the 1996 Games.”
Why: I distinctly remember watching this race as a kid and for the first time falling in love with the Olympics and Team USA. I had Michael Johnson’s poster from Sports Illustrated for Kids hanging in my room. A few years ago I had the chance to visit the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, where they have one of Johnson’s gold shoes on display. It was a great experience to actually see up close not only one of the most iconic elements in Team USA history and but also the spark that ignited my love for the Olympics.
Christina Hargrove, Events Coordinator
Favorite memory: Gymnast Kerri Strug's final vault at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics
Why: My favorite Olympic memory was watching Kerri Strug complete her final Vault Jump with an injured ankle. Her heart and determination lead Team USA to its first team All-Around gold. I remember watching in awe of her strength.
Kevin Jackson, Assistant National Freestyle Coach, 1992 Olympic champion
Favorite memory: Olympic Games closing ceremony
Why: The atmosphere is much different than opening ceremony. It’s festive and relaxed, even though athletics are concluding. Upon entering the stadium, I noticed how organized and well dressed (coat and tie) the officials were on the stadium floor. Then I noticed runners warming up on the track in preparation for their medal run. I saw a female Fosbury flop over the high bar then a javelin fly through the night air. That’s when it hit me; the greatest sense of achievement I’ve ever experienced, that feeling that it was all well worth it. I realized that I was now a part of history, the same history Muhammad Ali, Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens and Mary Lou Retton, experienced. The feeling was overwhelming and I carry it with me to this day!
Taylor Miller, Communications Manager
Favorite memory: Helen Maroulis’ gold medal in 2016
Why: The Olympic memory that stands out most to me is when Helen Maroulis became the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic gold in wrestling. It’s one of my favorites for a couple of reasons. First, it was just so freaking monumental, especially considering that she took down a legend. Second, it was one of my first weeks on the job, and I, along with several other USA Wrestling staff members, watched the historic moment in the conference room. It was such a special moment to witness and celebrate with my new wrestling family. An honorable mention has to be when Coleman Scott, a fellow Oklahoma State alum and a coach I was working with at the time, won his bronze medal in 2012. The ONLY reason this isn’t No. 1 is because it was the first freestyle event I had ever watched, and to be honest, I had no idea what was going on. (Thank goodness for the rule changes!)
Haley Scherr, Executive Assistant
Favorite memory: Watching the Olympics on TV with my family
Why: The Olympics brought my family together, much like the Sunday Disney family movie night. It reminds me a much simpler time. I love the memories of my family of 5 and eventually 6 piled onto our one couch and small living room in front of our small dial TV to cheer on the United States! I remember the excitement of watching the next athlete approach the beam, the ice, the track. My favorites then were Dorthy Hamill and Mary Lou Retton. My little sister even chopped her hair for a Dorthy Hamill “do.” What I never dreamed of was eventually working for an Olympic Sport, marrying an Olympian and truly being part of the Olympic movement. I’ve met so many athletes that I watched growing up and so many more. The Olympic family is such a special one and I’m honored to be a part of it.
Mary Beth Powers, Controller
Favorite: Muhammad Ali lighting 1996 torch; First time in the Olympic wrestling venue.
Why: I have so many Olympic memories. Having been a wrestling fan for many years, and with wrestling being my favorite sport, there is no "professional" level, so the Olympics are the pinnacle of the sport.
1) I am fortunate enough to have my dream job, working for USA Wrestling, so I have been privileged to have the opportunity to attend the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games as a volunteer. I have so many memories from Atlanta, like being at the Opening Ceremonies, and only a few sections away from where the Olympic Flame was to be lit. There had been all kinds of rumors flying around the volunteers and spectators about who would be lighting the flame. It was truly a moment for goose bumps and emotional tears at that moment when the spotlight hit the person who would be lighting the flame, and it was Muhammad Ali. All of the spectacle and extravaganza of the Opening Ceremonies were brilliant, but that was truly a historic moment that I will never forget.
2) A more personal, but no less meaningful, memory is of the moment when I first walked into the Olympic wrestling venue. For years I had been watching the Olympics and cheering for my wrestler friends in the Olympic Games... and now I was actually present where the Olympic wrestling would take place. The years of thinking of this pinnacle of the sport and the memories of prior Games and supporting our wrestlers from afar were swirling around in my head, and I almost could not believe that I would actually be present and be assisting as a volunteer. I was so proud to be there, and representing USA Wrestling, and almost just to be there in the venue was nearly overwhelming. All of the time in that venue, at the Olympic wrestling, was amazing and awe-inspiring, at least to me, but that first moment of being there, of realization, was a memory I will always cherish.
Mike Willis, Communications Coordinator
Favorite memory: Rulon Gardner's 2004 Olympic bronze medal match
Why: My favorite Olympic memory is Rulon’s bronze medal match at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. It was the first time I saw a wrestling match on television. After the match, Rulon took his shoes off and left them in the center of the mat. It was a powerful moment that stuck with me even more so than the match itself.
Laura Peeters, Safe Sport Director
Favorite memory: Nadia Comaneci at the 1976 Olympics
Why: I remember watching the 1976 Olympics as a 7 year-old. I was a recreational gymnast at the time and Nadia Comaneci was a Romanian 14-year-old gymnast who was the first gymnast to be awarded a perfect score of 10.0. She subsequently received six more perfect 10s for various events, including 5 gold medals, 1 silver medal and 1 bronze. She simply dominated the event. I was so inspired by her strength, power, grace and perfection that I wanted to follow in her footsteps. That didn’t happen.
Lorraine Rorabaugh, Donor and Alumni Relations
Favorite memory: Nadia Comaneci, Usain Bolt, Apollo Ohno, Rulon Gardner, 1980 Miracle on Ice
Why: There are so many memories of past Olympic Games that replay in my mind. I don’t have just one. I remember watching Nadia Comaneci, and wanting to be like her. Usain Bolt and his speed, Apollo Ohno and his power, Rulon Gardner and his victory and, of course, USA Hockey defeating Russia. When I re-watch that hockey game, my heart pounds with excitement like it did the first time seeing it. I’m always in awe watching athletes around the world compete at the Olympic level. These are the best of the best! It’s such an honor to work with USA Wrestling and get to know our coaches and athletes. Their work and training ethic and genuine kindness is unlike any other professional athlete I’ve known or admired. What a great experience to be here!
Rich Bender, Executive Director
Favorite memory: 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta
Why: I’m the first to admit that I’ve been blessed by this sport beyond measure. Being around USA Wrestling for over the past three decades has exposed me to some of our sport’s greatest moments. Incredible Olympic victories and heart wrenching Olympic defeats have certainly filled my memory inbox. The one moment that really stands out for me was the manner in which the Wrestling Family came together to host one of our sport’s greatest wrestling presentations, the 1996 Olympic Games. In a Games that is recalled by many as one that fell short from an organizational standpoint, our sport had a very different experience. Due to the tireless efforts of literally hundreds of “wrestling volunteers,” the wrestling portion of those Games is now somewhat legendary. In traditional form, our wrestling volunteers stepped up and committed to a “do whatever it takes” mentality. They made sure that challenges would not negatively impact our wrestlers and spectators. It included making special personal shuttle runs to move athletes and coaches when the transportation system failed, to finding ways to show hospitality to all our International Guests when the bigger Games Organization could not. The US Wrestling Family came together around a common and simple goal: make it the best wrestling experience for everyone that attended. As a result, the wrestling portion of the Games came off without a hitch and is still regarded by many as one of the best wrestling competitions ever. That was inspiring to see and is to this day one of my fondest Olympic Wrestling memories.
Gary Abbott, Communications Director
Favorite memory: Rulon Gardner’s MPC press conference after beating Alexander Kareline
Why: I have a tie for my three favorite on-the-mat memories: seeing in person the U.S. flag rise for an Olympic wrestling gold medal for first time in 1988, Rulon Gardner’s 2000 Olympic gold and Helen Maroulis’ 2016 Olympic gold. But my favorite memory was Rulon Gardner’s press conference at the Main Press Center in Sydney, Australia on the night he defeated “the unbeatable” Alexander Kareline. Gardner met with all the press who were not in the arena in Darling Harbour for the actual match. The room was packed. We put Rulon on the stage along with his family members, and they all answered questions. This is where the legend began, the story about the big kid from a Wyoming milk farm that nobody knew about. It was magnificent. That night, at about 3:00 a.m., when all the media interviews were done, I wrote a column entitled “Rulon Gardner is the king of the world.” And he was. He was the biggest story of the entire 2000 Olympic Games.
Editor’s Note: If we receive a few more, we will add them in as we get them. We encourage all members of the wrestling community to post their favorite Olympic memories on our Twitter or Facebook pages. Happy #OlympicDay2020
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