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07/27/24 02:22:00
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07/27 02:19 CDT Just like at the Tokyo Olympics, American cowbell clanging will
be raucous again at Paris Games
Just like at the Tokyo Olympics, American cowbell clanging will be raucous
again at Paris Games
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer
PARIS (AP) --- Before Tokyo three years ago, the U.S. Olympic swim coaches
pondered how to best support their athletes and help fire them up before a
race, given there were no family or friends or fans in the stands.
They turned to clanging cowbells.
While spectators return to the pool in Paris on Saturday, American women's
coach Todd DeSorbo and his staff plan to continue what worked so well --- even
if it's not popular with the rival Australians or others. Given that most
everybody at the pool by now has heard about the Aussies' disdain for the
noise, the rivalry could reach new decibels at these Summer Games.
Australian star Cate Campbell, who is rarely afraid to speak her mind, referred
to the Americans as "such, such sore losers" after Australia won more gold
medals at the world championships last year in Fukuoka, Japan, and expressed
her disgust with all the cowbells ringing out.
"I've never wanted to punch someone more and steal the cowbell, and I really
hope that someone did," Campbell said in an interview with Australia's "Today"
show last year.
You better believe the Americans heard about that and took notice. Michael
Phelps hopes Campbell's complaints only provide more motivation for the U.S.,
saying, "I would watch that thing every single day, give me that little extra."
American Abbey Weitzeil said last month at the U.S. trials: "We're all bringing
the cowbell.
"Whenever comments are made about your country or your jobs, it's all
competitive. I think we all are competitive, our competitive side comes out, so
we're all bringing the cowbell, extra loud!"
DeSorbo didn't realize the motivational tactic would cause an international
uproar.
"That was an interesting thing," he said. "I think that not having fans in the
stands you had to create an environment to help them get excited, to help them
get motivated. I do think if you can't get motivated with the opportunity to
win an Olympic medal, then I don't know what would motivate you, but the fans
and the spectators certainly help. Being in an environment where we as a
coaching staff had to create that excitement for them, I think probably the
cowbells were probably rang louder at that Olympics than ever before because of
that.
"And that might be part of why there's a little bit of trash-talking going on
back and forth about that because it was really loud in '21 and probably since
then it has been."
Indeed, the clanging isn't always popular with some athletes from opposing
countries.
American Hunter Armstrong spoke about the 4x100 freestyle relay foursome
chasing a world record in Paris, while making sure to point out, "We definitely
want that world record, but most importantly we need more cowbell."
Campbell shared how thrilled she was not to hear the U.S. national anthem as
regularly at worlds last year.
"Australia coming out on top of the world is one thing, but it is just so much
sweeter beating America," she said. "There were a couple of nights,
particularly the first night of competition, where we did not have to hear
?Star-Spangled Banner' ring out through the stadium and I cannot tell you how
happy that made me. If I never hear that song again it will be too soon. So,
bring on Paris. That's all I have to say, U.S., stop being sore losers. ...
"When we're like right next to each other in the warmup areas, the U.S. have
this infernal cowbell that they ring and as someone leaves to go to the
competition pool they ring out ?USA! USA!' and I've never wanted to punch
someone more."
Turns out, Campbell won't be competing and perhaps not as bothered by those
bells at Paris La Defense Arena.
Yet those thoughtful gestures by the U.S. coaches --- no matter how loud ---
have meant so much to their swimmers.
"Since I've been on Team USA, we've always had a lot of pride and interest in
our teammates' success. When they go off to the ready room before a race,
there's typically a big raucous," Ryan Murphy told The Associated Press.
"Whether it's a cowbell, USA chants or a fist bump, we know that we have the
whole team behind us when we step up on the blocks."
DeSorbo and men's coach Anthony Nesty are bringing along the last two head
coaches as key support: Stanford's Greg Meehan on the women's side and
University of California-Berkeley men's coach Dave Durden.
"I don't necessarily know that it was anything specific or in particular that
we really set out to do or tried to do," DeSorbo said of establishing the
cowbell factor in Tokyo.
Those Olympics presented so many challenges with COVID-19 protocols, so
everybody is eager for a more familiar time in Paris. DeSorbo recalls how the
other coaches were sorry that was his first Olympic experience in 2021 --- and
while there were no complaints from him, DeSorbo can't wait to get going here.
"It's going to be amazing," he said.
Together they will continue to find ways to encourage the athletes even with
fans back in the arena.
"I can't wait to have fans at the Olympics again. They add a whole new level of
excitement to the pool deck," Murphy said. "Our trials was one of the fastest
meets of all time and the fans enhanced our performances. I'm hoping for a
loud, excited fan base."
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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
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