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"Thank you…for everything," I said.
Kova shifted his hand over mine and gave me a little squeeze.
I dropped my arm then turned around to find my place in line. My teammates and I bounced on our toes waiting to be announced in our matching royal blue sweat suits with USA printed down the spine in white and then over the left side of our chest in red.
This was my proudest moment.
I drew in a deep breath and closed my eyes, taking it all in as I tried to steady my racing heart.
"Team USA, they're ready for you," someone yelled. She had a microphone attached to her head and a clipboard glued to her chest. She dipped her head then waved her hand at us.
I exhaled slowly and a smile that I wasn't prepared for spread across my face.
I still couldn't believe I’d made it.
Thirty-One
Double doors were held open as the four of us walked behind an employee who held a white sign high in the air that rea
d USA in black, bold letters.
The crowd exploded the moment we stepped inside the stadium. It was loud. A massive smile split across my face at the jolt of excitement it gave me. The fans had to reach an octave that was earsplitting. It was really cool and made me feel alive. My eyes ran over the crowd in a blur. The fans stood waving flags, air of enthusiasm surrounded all of us, welcoming us… I was still in shock. I couldn't believe after all the hard work that I was actually here. We followed the woman in a straight line to the floor. Walking up the three steps, we stood next to Team China on one side, and Team Romania on the other. My eyes skimmed the gymnasts. Some exchanged smiles, some didn't. I smiled brightly, though, feeling the thunder of adrenaline course through me. It was empowering to look around at the faces of girls who gave up so much of their youth to be here, fighting for a dream just like I had. We may not have a lot in common, but we had that, and it connected us for a moment in our lifetime forever. I may have missed out on football games, high school dances and prom, making memories with friends, but I didn't regret it because nothing could top this moment. How often did one get to say they went to the freaking Olympics?
Music blared through the speakers and my smile grew larger, happiness taking over me. The crowd clapped and shouted as introductions were made by team before we departed to the first event. I was eager and couldn't wait for the Games to begin.
The countries were split up on the four events, with USA starting on the balance beam. Considering my nerves were already wired, I was both thankful and anxious as hell to start with this event. I'd rather have started with bars, something I had more confidence in, but maybe this was a good thing. That way I got beam out of the way and I could loosen up a little.
I wasn't supposed to compete on beam, but when my teammate fractured her back during the training camp and the alternate was chosen, the committee made a decision between the both of us. After some deliberation, they chose me to compete on beam, which meant I was competing on all four events now while she had two. My routine had the higher execution score, but hers had the difficulty.
Because of the governing rules, the Olympic coaches were not permitted to be on the floor while gymnasts competed, only their coaches were allowed. However, they could instruct from the seats. Each of us had our coach with us and we were allowed a quick warm-up with them before the competition began.
"I know you were not prepared to compete on beam, but the coaches believe in you. They believe that you also have the ability to help carry the team to gold."
I nodded as I powdered my feet then stomped on the floor.
"Look at me." I looked right into Kova’s green eyes. "Center your focus. Concentrate on your routine and know you have what it takes. I want you to take a deep breath before your connection series, and keep your chest high when you execute your jumps because those completed in a clean succession will increase your score. Keep that ankle locked in your turns."
Expelling a tight breath, I nodded. "I got it." I paused. "I can do it." I paused again. "I got this." Balancing for ninety seconds on a four-inch piece of wood. I could totally do it.
Once we took turns warming up and it was time to begin, we came to stand in a close circle. We placed our right hand out in the middle of us, and yelled "Phenomenal Four" just as the bell sounded letting us know it was time to start the first event of the Olympics.
I watched as my teammate stepped onto the podium and walked up to the balance beam with her shoulders squared back. There was something exhilarating about watching this tiny little fairy-like girl mount the beam and dominate it like a queen. She was inspiring, and she was also the front runner with the highest difficulty of the meet. The only other gymnast who was capable of executing a routine similar to hers was a girl from the Ukraine. The Ukrainians were trying to make a comeback after not winning any medals since the nineties.
I couldn't sit still, none of us could. We paced the floor and cheered on our teammate in between doing various stretches to keep our muscles warmed up. When she stuck her dismount and the crowd cheered, my heart dropped a little. Now it was my turn.
I powdered my feet again and applied more chalk to my palms and the tops of my thighs. Kova stood behind me, massaging my shoulders and arms to keep me warm. My heart was fluttering and my fingers shook. I drew in a large breath and inhaled the chalky air, coughing when I exhaled. That made my lungs burn. I swallowed, wincing because of my sore throat.
I could do this.
"Stay focused," he said, turning me to stand in front of him. "Positive thoughts. It is just like any other meet."
"Only it's not." I half joked, eyeing him.
Kova smiled halfway, but I'd caught it. "Your biggest competitor is yourself. This is you living your dream, and me living it with you."
It was only us in the arena despite the thousands of beating hearts surrounding us. Let me live with you, was something I'd never forget he said. It was woven into my soul for eternity. The happiness I felt was a seed soaking up his words and blossoming inside of my chest.
A smile slowly, contentedly, fell over my curved my lips. I knew what he was doing. I made a mental note to remind myself of what he said so I could write it in my journal. I wanted to remember it forever and explain in detail how I felt, that way when I looked back on this day many years from now, I’d get that same feeling again when I reread the words.
