[PHOTO PROVIDED BY ITU PICTURES]
the second half. Was Sylvia Poll going to via’s 18th birthday. The field included East stroke events (1:04.43, 2:19.32). However, be able to swim the second half downhill? Germans Heidi Friedrich and Manuela she still had quite a bit to improve to be in Even if she did, would it be good enough? Stellmach, plus Americans Mary Wayte the discussion for an Olympic medal in any On the third length, Sylvia accelerated. and Mitzi Kremer. All four qualified for the event. First, she passed Trefilova, then Stellmach, finals, with Friedrich first in 1:59.02 and At the Pan American Games in August then Wayte. Finally, she inched closer to Wayte third in 1:59.50. Second in the early 1987, Sylvia, now 16, opened the swimMitzi Kremer, who dropped to second at the morning session was Poll, swimming a perming world’s eyes to her potential when 150 behind Friedrich (1:28.38 to the East sonal best time of 1:59.22. she won won eight medals: three gold, three German’s 1:28.03). Poll turned third, silver, two bronze. It was at that just 8-hundredths behind the early meet, held in Indianapolis, where leader. she turned in a bevy of impressive People across Costa Rica stood times, including 56.10 in the 100 and cheered at the electronic image free, 2:00.02 in the 200 free and stroking down the pool on their tele1:01.86 in the 100 back. Her perforvision sets. mances were broadcast by radio to Kremer faded, Stellmach chased an eager audience back home. The and Friedrich soared down the last parade and celebration that greeted length, but Sylvia Poll raced them her return overshadowed even Costa to the finish. That day, she stopped Rican President Arias Sanchez’s Nothe clock at 1:58.67, placing second bel Peace Prize Award celebration between the two East Germans— two months later...because for the Friedrich (1:57.65) and Stellmach first time, Costa Rica had a bona fide (1:59.01)—and earning the first sports hero! Olympic medal in any sport for CosUp to that point, the improveta Rica. By all rights, Sylvia was the ment shown by the 6-2 blonde was real gold medalist in ’88, knowing stunning, but her true test would now that the East German women come the following year in Seoul were doped. when she would be facing all of the During the awards ceremony, the best swimmers in the world. Her Sylvia Poll, serving as Ambassador, Deputy Permanent RepresentaCosta Rican anthem wasn’t played, stiffest competition likely would tive of the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations and its flag rose just beneath one come from the victims of East GerOffice in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, is shown here in 2013 at a briefing on the Global Youth GDR flag and beside another. But many’s State Plan 14.25 (as it was Summit, which was held in Costa Rica. a proud Sylvia Poll stood on the officially known), which remained podium and waved with dignity as fully underground at this point in though she expected to be there. history. In another year, the GDR She became such a hero in her country The Olympics are in some respects “just system of doping would collapse into public that her name remains recognizable even another swim meet” because what is critihorror. The challenge for Olympic medals today as you walk down almost any street cal to any swimmer’s success is maintainin women’s swimming in Seoul was dauntin Costa Rica. And it’s not only because ing one’s competitive calm and performing ing for anyone, especially those outside of of what she achieved, but also how she in his or her optimium emotional zone. The the traditional powerhouse swimming naachieved it. difference at the Olympics tends to be the tions. Sylvia sat through her post-race interstaggering numbers: nearly 8,500 athletes views, speaking calmly and fluently in three from 159 nations competed in Seoul; 11,331 SYLVIA’S OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE languages. When asked about her future, media were on hand to cover the 263 events On the first day at the Olympics, the she spoke about making a difference bein 23 sports; the Olympic Swimming Pool GDR’s Kristin Otto ran away with the 100 yond the pool and over many years to come. seated 10,000; and then, of course, there free in 54.93. America’s top finisher was Today, she works in international relations were millions of people watching worldDara Torres, who placed seventh (56.25). at the United Nations and is a member of wide on TV! Quietly finishing fifth was Sylvia Poll “Champions of Peace.” While a medal for Sylvia Poll would (55.90), who was disappointed and noted Sylvia Poll is living proof that an Olymmake her a folk hero in Costa Rica, her first that her goggles had slipped on the start, pic medalist can come from anywhere in task was to keep her poise if she wanted to which ruined her concentration. the world, including places with some of succeed. Coach Rivas believed in the power of the most unusual conditions and circumIn the finals (scheduled at noon to acthe mind and prided himself in telling his stances. commodate American TV), the USA’s swimmers that they would not only go afMitzi Kremer took command in the first ter beating Americans, but would also aim 100, splitting 57.89. Trailing, in order, were to swim faster than anyone in the world. So Chuck Warner is a part of Swimming Wayte (58.43), Friedrich (58.50), Stellat the 1988 Olympic Games, Rivas’ squad World Magazine’s editorial board and mach (58.60) and Natalia Trefilova (URS) regularly pounded on the door to the pool author of “Four Champions: One Gold (58.61). Poll turned in sixth with a split of at 5:30 a.m.—the first swimmers there— Medal” and “And Then They Won Gold.” 58.78. making a statement that they were eager to Both books are available for purchase Some people look at the strategy for perform. online at www.SwimmingWorld.com. swimming the 200 freestyle as “going up The 200 free was held on the second Next month: “Top 9 Olympic Upsets: #7.” the hill” the first half and “downhill” on day, Sept. 21—just three days before SylSWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION December 2015 / SWIMMINGWORLDMAGAZINE.COM
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