Postcards From Athens
8/31/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 31, 2004
This is the last in a series of reports from Athens, Greece from Wake Forest athletic trainer Adam Pecina. Pecina worked the Olympic Games for the United States' tennis teams.
Heading Back To Wake Forest
Recently, a few of us were able to get away from work for a short while and see a bit of Athens. We traveled to the downtown shops close to the Acropolis. It's mind-boggling to think some of these structures have been standing for thousands of years! On the Wake Forest front, we ran into former Deacon Tim Duncan at a jewelry shop downtown. We talked to him for a bit before heading back. It was great talking to him. I kept my eyes peeled for Darius Songaila, but never caught sight of him. I did get to see him play a few games on television. Hunter Kemper stayed off-site with the triathlon team. He competed last Thursday and finished in the top 10. I brought a few Wake Forest shirts with me to wear around. To my surprise, I received quite a few comments about it. Some of the Tar Heels on the women's soccer team and I exchanged a few words, but it was all in good fun. There were a lot of people asking about our sports teams as well. With the closing ceremonies, the 2004 summer Olympic Games have come to an end. It is bittersweet. On the one hand, I am anxious to get home and begin work with the women's soccer team. I have been keeping track of them on the Wake Forest web-site, though it's hard to believe the 2004 season has already begun. It will be nice to get back into a routine and see some familiar faces, as well as meet the new players. On the other hand, leaving Athens and the festive atmosphere of the Olympic Games will be difficult. I will miss the feeling of being in the competitive trenches with the U.S. team. I will miss seeing the athletes give their all day in and day out. I will miss the sights and sounds of the city, the chants of the crowd, and the excellent Greek food. Now, in retrospect, it all seems like a blur. I know when I get back to Winston, though, it will all settle in. I will take back numerous memories, and I have many stories to tell my friends and family back home. It was a fun ride. I am fortunate to have had such an opportunity. Hopefully, I will be able to do it all again in Beijing in 2008.
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