the 1980 games in Lake Placid, but with the Cold War reaching its peak, other issues crept into the games. “That was an interesting year because it was here in Lake Placid in the U.S., but also the boycott was looming and was actually announced during the games by President (Jimmy) Carter,” Mike said. “We knew people like Mary, who were on the summer teams, weren’t going to be able to go and achieve some of their goals that they had worked hard for. It was kind of an interesting, challenging time.” The United States, along with 61 other countries, did indeed boycott the 1980 summer games in Moscow, the same year Mary would have made her Olympic debut. But at the age of 15, Mary said it didn’t really affect her. “I wasn’t one of those kids that grew up knowing all about the Olympics and wanting to go to the Olympics one day,” Mary said. “I think more, for me, that first one was something that was just going to happen because I happened to be good enough. But then, of course, having that opportunity taken away, by the time the second one came along I was 19, so it was definitely more of a choice where I was giving up social opportunities and I was in college based on swimming.” Needless to say, Mary made the 1984 team and headed to Los Angeles to compete. But Mary said she was disappointed because she would not get a chance to test her skills against perhaps her greatest competition, the East Germans. In retaliation for the 1980 boycott, East Germany, along with the Soviet Union, Cuba and 14 other countries, boycotted the 1984 games. “I was excited but certainly disappointed that I wasn’t able to race my biggest competition, which were the East Germans at the time,” Mary said. Regardless of the boycott, Mary said the experience of the 1984 Olympic Games was a great one. Mary’s whole family made the trip to Los Angeles - siblings, siblings’ spouses and parents were all there to cheer her on to gold. “It was a great bonding time for my family,” Mary said. “Certainly, I was happy I was able to do that because I saw many from 1980 not make the team and not have that opportunity.” After winning three gold medals in 1984 and becoming known by many as the world’s best butterfly swimmer, Mary again made the Olympic team in 1988 in Seoul, Korea. “I knew I was past my prime, but I just felt like I wanted to see if I could do it against my best competition in the world, and you know, win,” Mary said. “And I wasn’t able to do that, so that was disappointing. But like the mottos say, you learn as much from losing as you do from winning. So it was a humbling experience, but it was fun. I’d had a good career and it was time for me to move on with my life.” The Olympic experience didn’t end for Mike and Mary with the conclusion of their competitive careers, though. Mike spent a number of years continuing to be involved with the Games. Following the 1980 Olympics, he served on several committees of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Mike spent two four-year terms as the U.S. Speedskating athlete representative on
the USOC Athlete Advisory Council. He followed that by being elected to a four-year term as Athlete Advisory Council Chairman. In addition, he served an eight-year term on the USOC Board of Directors and Executive Committee from 1984 to 1992. Later, Mike was a member of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees for the Salt Lake Olympic Bid Committee for the 2002 Olympic Games. Not only did his involvement with the Olympics continue, but he also served on committees for U.S. International Speedskating Association and USA Cycling, as well as a stint as executive director of the Canoe and Kayak Team from 1985 to 1986. Mary served as the representative to the swimming team on the Athlete Advisory Committee. It was during their time on the Athlete Advisory Committee that Mike and Mary met.
Winter meets summer In 1989, Mike was hard at work as the Athlete Advisory Council chairman when Mary began her stint as AAC swimming representative. And while it may not have been love at first sight, Mary said she knew right away there was something there. “He had the hots for me right away; there was no doubt about it,” Mary said jokingly. “We’ll just leave it at that,” Mike said. “We’ll let her feel good about that.” Mike and Mary said, in reality, they didn’t get to know each other romantically until later. However, Mary said she saw some traits in Mike that stood out. “I admired his ability to lead that group,” Mary said. “It was a tough group to lead - 45 different sports, everything from table tennis to track and field to swimming. I always sat there and thought, gosh, how does he do that? How does he get us all to come to some kind of consensus. I don’t know; I never had an interest romantically until afterward when he called.” The summer Olympian and the winter Olympian developed a relationship that turned into a marriage in 1994, which eventually became a family. Mike and Mary have three kids - Erika, 25, from Mike’s previous marriage, Drew, 12, and Maddie, 10. With so much athletic ability in the gene pool, it’s not hard to believe the kids share their parents’ love of sports. “Maddie is a cheerleader,” Mary said. “Mike and I have grown to respect the sport greatly. It was a hard thing for us to swallow at first. Erika is a rhythmic gymnast. And Drew would tell you his favorite sport is whatever’s in season. He kind of does it all.” Mike said no matter what the sport, Drew will watch it, play it or read about it. “Drew will watch two flies crawl up the wall if they’re competing,” Mike said. “And then go out and do it himself.”
The family getaway Mike’s and Mary’s lives led them to Atlanta, where Mike served as executive vice president of Turner Sports starting in February 2002. He was named executive vice president of Business Operations for the Atlanta Braves in 2003, where he oversees stadium operations, security, finance, personnel, special events and the minor league clubs. After years of being around water, whether frozen or warm, Mike decided he wanted to look for a home away from home near a lake. “I grew up in Wisconsin spending a lot of time on lakes,” Mike said. “If I was going to water, I was going to lakes. I’m not really an ocean person.”