We’ll be using this space to bring you memories straight from the brains of some of Long Beach’s finest athletes, as they recount their time competing in the Olympics.  As you’re watching tonight’s Opening Ceremonies, or look back on them a few days from now, think about the rush of emotions that came over these athletes as they experienced the festivities live.

Susie Atwood, Swimming (1968 & 1972)
My first Olympics, I was pretty much in awe of just being there with so many great athletes.  I was only 15 at the time, so I was sort of starstruck and just in amazement that I was a part of that Olympic tradition.  Making the Olympic team was probably the most exciting moment of my swimming career, especially as a longshot and not expecting to make the team that year.

Debbie Green, Women’s Indoor Volleyball (1984)
It was really exciting because after training for so many years, we’re here, we’ve finally made it.  It was a lot of fun, but with the Opening Ceremonies, you know, we were in the LA Sports Arena so we were watching the Opening Ceremonies on this big TV outside before we walked in, and the TVs went blank!  So we missed half the show.

Atwood
The part I remembered, as a 15 year-old, we were standing on the field with all the athletes and they kept the pigeons cooped up for hours, so when they let them out the birds just pooped everywhere [laughs].  But it was so exciting to walk into the stadium and see thousands of people cheering for you.  It gave me chills to be a part of the team.  It was just a very proud moment.

Green
It was neat.  To me, though, I enjoyed the Closing Ceremonies more.  In the Opening Ceremonies, people recognized swimmers and gymnasts, and the women’s volleyball team didn’t get a lot of publicity.  We were just hoping we would get on TV for 5 minutes, but we didn’t realize how much we had actually been on TV.  When we marched in the Closing Ceremonies, people were yelling our names and everyone knew who we were.

Atwood
The second time (1972), I still had the same excitement.  I do remember, after we’d paraded around the arena, so many people were bugging us for our hats or headbands or anything we had.  We had these God-awful shoes with Olympic rings on them, so I threw them into the crowd [laughs].  The Opening Ceremonies were great, but the Closing Ceremonies were not because of the terrorist attacks in the Village that year.  It was terribly sad and unbelievable that the whole incident occurred at the Olympic Village.  The Olympic Village is such a place of positive experiences, all the athletes get along.  To have that as the site for this terrible event…

Green
When people ask me, “What Olympics did you compete in?”  I tell them Los Angeles and they say, “Oh, that’s too bad because you didn’t get to travel.”  But what made it so special for me is that we were at home, and our country was there cheering us on.  It was great to be a part of that.

Atwood
The thing you remember the most is the people you meet, these great friendships that you’ve had over the years.  The athletes make the Olympics what they are.  The events are great and the host nations are great, but it’s all about the athletes.  It does give you chills and makes you proud to be a part of that tradition.