Olympic Notebook With USA Asst. Softball Coach Margo Jonker

Sept. 17, 2000

After all of the pageantry and anticipation of the Games, the team finally hit the diamond. What emotions were you feeling during the first game?

We started off by beating Canada 6-0, but you can obtain game information from numerous media outlets so I won't go into that here. The players were all a little more intense than I have seen before any game so far this year. It was fun to watch them relax as the game progressed and we started hitting the ball.

Before most big tournaments when I am coaching I am a little nervous. So I was wondering how I would feel before the Olympics. Of course, being an assistant coach is totally different than being a head coach, no matter what level. Well, I was totally relaxed during the warm-up and it felt like any other game. Then we went to the main stadium. We were waiting for the game to start and you could feel the excitement in the air. I was still extremely calm. Then the announcer came on and stated "We are now announcing the team members of Team USA and Team Canada to begin the Softball competition of the 2000 Olympic Games." As the team was announced it hit, "we are in the Olympics" and the goose bumps appeared. It finally hit me, emotionally, and continued until I reached my first base coaching box. Wow! But, by the first pitch I was back on the mode of "I need to be relaxed because the pressure is on the players and they cannot see me, as an assistant coach, nervous." I actually was able to relax again and be in game mode. The emotions hit again, but this time it was after the game when I saw my friends standing in the outfield waving. It was awesome today. I was so happy they were there to share it with me.

What types of events go on inside the Olympic Village?

There are numerous events that go on at the village, one a few days ago was a flag raising ceremony. Each country has their own special ceremony. For the USA, many of the athletes came. We were all to dress in our "award suit" and report at a certain time. Then we were entertained by kids from a local school. Each country had a different school entertain them. There was a dance native to the Australians, some presentations, the actual raising of the flag with the children singing our anthem and a song that was sang to each of the teams with the following lyrics.

G'day, G'day
You are the heroes of the world

Verses
You are the heroes of the world
We welcome you with open arms
We hope you feel that you're at home
Let's join our hands and be as one

Chorus
G'day, G'day, Welcome to Australia
G'day, G'day, That's the Australian way.
G'day, G'day, Welcome to Australia
G'day, G'day, That's the Australian way.

Bridge
Not just to win the silver, bronze and gold.
But to try with all our heart an soul
Our glory comes in striving for the best.
It's time to come together, all the people of the world
To race as one united, to share a common goal

Chorus
G'day, G'day, you are the heroes of the world
G'day Mate!

And repeated

These words were set to a catchy tune that are heard hummed around the village as we walk around.