"Go Old Guy!"

Wherein Our Heroine Uses the Word "Guy" as a Unisex Term.

There's a recurrent cheer from our house when John and I watch sports. "Go old guy!" we enthuse whenever we hear that an athlete is competing on the national stage over 30 years of age. In an era where teenagers seem to rule the international sporting roost, it's inspiring to know that 30 is not necessarily over the hill.

Yesterday we watched as Bjorn Maaseide (36), of the Norwegian Beach Volleyball team win over a highly favored American team. "Go old guy!" Actually, he's not the first Norwegian over-30 that we've cheered for. We've also cheered for Lasse Kjus, the Norwegian downhill skier.

Certain sports skew older, at least in terms of their team makeup. The captain of the French Equestrian Team is over 50, and there are plenty of riders well into their 40s. But the leader of the Equestrian Eventing competition is in his mid-20s. (Random note - horses, despite being classified as "equipment" by the Olympic Committee, have to have passports to compete internationally.)

Talent seems to explode in the young. But experience can tell in the clutch. Last night, 25-year old Mohini Bhardwaj stepped in at the last minute to take over for an injured teammate on the balance beam. Her gravitas and calm demeanor, the gifts of age, seemed to settle her rattled teammates. "Go old guy."

Posted: Wednesday - August 18, 2004 at 09:03 AM | |