by Max Howell
The head coach, Forbes Carlile, addressed the swimmers in the Village.
First of all, congratulations. It is a decided honour to represent your country, and particularly in swimming. The 1956 Australian swimming team is the strongest in the nation’s history. There were 13 Australian and 6 World Records broken in the final trials, and that means we will not take a back seat to anybody in the Pool.
This is the first time the Olympic Games have ever been held in the Southern hemisphere, and of course it is the first time it has been held in Australia. You will be competing in front of your friends, family, and above all your country. For the first time the Games will be seen on television in Australia.
Australia has had a proud heritage in Olympic history and is one of only four countries to have been represented at every Olympic Games since 1896. Those swimmers who have won gold medals will never be forgotten, their names are recorded indelibly in the nation’s sporting history: Freddie Lane, who won the 200m freestyle and believe it or not the 200m obstacle race in 1900; the 4 x 200m freestyle relay team in 1912 (Leslie Boardman, Malcolm Champion, Harold Hardwick and Cecil Healy); by the way, Malcolm Champion was a New Zealander - we competed together with NZ in those Olympics as Australasia; the immortal Fanny Durack in the first 100m freestyle ever for women in the Olympics, in 1912; the legendary ‘Boy’ Charlton in 1924 in the 1500m freestyle; and ‘Dick’ Eve won the high dive in the same Games; Clare Dennis in the 1932 Los Angeles Games won the 200m breastroke; and John Davies, in the 1952 Helsinki Games, triumphed in the 200m breastroke. These are our gold medallists. There are many others who have been silver and bronze medallists.
Each one of you has the opportunity to put your name in the history books. Just imagine, four years hence, and before every Olympic Games until time immemorial, that your name will be read out to Australia’s Olympians of the future, as these names were read to you by myself today.
That possibility rests in your hands and your hands alone.
You owe it to your friends, your family and your country to perform above your own expectations. It is up to you, all we can do is wish you the best.”
A chill went down Mark’s spine as he heard the remarks. Was he, indeed, destined to have his own name on his country’s honour roll? All he knew was that he was determined that he would perform to the best of his ability.
He had never worried much about his opponents beforehand, as his basic reasoning was that he would always swim as well as he could and that tactics were irrelevant in a sprint race. He did, however, study the names of some of his opponents. As well as fellow Australians Gary Chapman and John Devitt, there was Hanley, Patterson and Woolsey of the United States, perhaps the main threats, Kogan and Tani of Japan, and Eminenti of France. Having never seen the swimmers from any of the other countries, he was only interested in their times. He knew that any one of them could produce the goods, but he resolved that they would have their hands full themselves with him.
The city of Melbourne did not overly appeal to Mark, maybe because of remarks Sydney-ites had made to him about the southern capital over the years. There seemed nothing there to rival Circular Quay and the Domain Baths in Sydney, or beaches like Coogee and Maroubra, where he usually swam, or Bondi or Manly. There seemed to be no real and inspiring centre to the city, and the little he saw of it convinced him that Sydney opinion was correct with respect to Melbourne.
Even though the Games were weeks away, there was a general euphoria sweeping through the city. It was easy to sense the excitement, and flags of all nations were flying outside the Village as well as throughout the city. It gave what appeared to him to be a rather drab city some welcome colour.
Mark did get permission to leave the Village to do some sight-seeing. In particular he made a pilgrimage to Young and Jackson’s Hotel on the opposite corner to the Central Railway Station. Mark’s grandfather, who was an inveterate gambler, would save whatever money he could and would always make an annual excursion to watch the Melbourne Cup, Australia’s premier horse race. When the Melbourne Cup was run all of Australia stood still, it was a national happening. It had become more of an institution than a horse race. The betting men would meet in Young and Jackson’s pub, and would discuss the various possibilities in the race and renew old friendships over a schooner of beer. In the bar was a famous painting of a nude woman by a French artist, and Mark’s grandfather would always have a twinkle in his eye as he described the atmosphere in the pub, presided over by this famous nude.
Mark’s grandfather was such a devotee that he remembered everything related to the Cup. If he were asked his age, he would say he was born in Zulu’s year, that is the year Zulu won the Cup. His uncles were born in Haricot’s and Don Juan’s year, and Mark was born in Catalogue’s year. Gambling, to grandfather, was as important as life itself.
Mark also went to the Melbourne Museum, which was called by the locals ‘Phar Lap’s stall’. As one entered the Museum, there was the wonder horse Phar Lap, often called ‘Big Red’. He stood resplendent in a glass enclosure, restored to perfection by a taxidermist. More people came to the Museum to view Phar Lap than any other exhibit. It was so famous and held in such awe that its heart was on display in Canberra and its bones in New Zealand, where it had been foaled.
Phar Lap won the Melbourne Cup with the heaviest weight given a horse in Australia, but ran out of competition in Australia and was taken overseas to race. It beat the best horses in North America in its first race at Agua Caliente in Mexico, but died mysteriously in San Francisco before its second race. An Australian legend developed that Phar Lap had been deliberately poisoned by the Americans because they could not stand losing. In reality the horse died because of a severe gastro-intestinal attack, brought about either by the mouldy horse chaff that had been brought with the horse from Australia, or a substance such as arsenic that had got into the grass he was eating.
Mark was delighted to visit the pub to see the nude and the Museum to see Phar Lap. He had listened as a child with a measure of awe as his grandfather had told him stories of the Melbourne Cup, and now he had actually seen these important artefacts in Australia’s history. When he was young, Melbourne had seemed like another land, and now, through his swimming prowess, he was starting to see so many things he had heard about or had read about. I wonder, he thought, how much more of the world he would see?
While at the Village the Australian Olympians met Sir Frank Beaurepaire, who was the Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne. It was mainly Sir Frank who master-minded the successful Melbourne bid. Two days after meeting the Australian team, Sir Frank died, thus missing the celebration of which he was the principal architect. When the obituaries were published, Mark was astonished to find out he had been one of the greatest swimmers ever produced in Australia. He represented Australia in three Olympic Games, and gained two silver and three bronze medals, outstanding performances.
Mark’s sight-seeing was over early, and from that point on his concentration was completely on the Olympic Games. He realised intuitively that much of his future rested on his performance at the Games. There was simply no way his parents could afford to send him to University. He felt that if he were successful it would open up new career possibilities for him, would allow him to travel the world, and perhaps get a university education in the United States.
Though Forbes Carlile was the head coach, he allowed the swimmers to work out with their own coaches. Terry Somerville had come down to Melbourne soon after the team, and was soon directing Mark’s final build-up. As the Games approached Terry got increasingly nervous, whereas Mark seemed to get calmer, though he was more determined than he had ever been in his life. His resolve deepened. His work-outs were primarily sprints and turns, with very little over-distance work. As Terry explained it, Mark had to keep sharp and quick, and had to point towards being at his peak on the very day of the 100m finals. Mark felt strong and confident, and his tactics were simple, to swim flat out from start to finish. Terry, how
ever, emphasised that the quality of each stroke was important, and that Mark had to develop that feel in the water so that every stroke was one hundred percent efficient. As the time went on Mark appreciated Terry’s advice more and more, and every time he sprinted against his team-mates he seemed to be able to use the water better in crucial situations. Despite the speed with which the 100m was swum, everyone remarked at the fluidity of Mark’s stroke.
Mark wrote to Faith before the Games.
Dear Faith,
Time is now really on the run and I feel deep down that I am on a path to fulfil my destiny. I know it sounds silly but it is as if I am surrounded by an aura of victory, as if someone is guarding and protecting me. We shall see. I do, however, appreciate you telling me that I am your Olympic champion, no matter what. All I know is that if I hold my form it will take a sensational time to beat me.
Terry is cunning as an old fox. The Americans have arrived, and over the years they have dominated swimming. They came to the pool to watch us train, and they came with binoculars and stop-watches to study our form. All the sprinters’ eyes were glued on me. Terry came up to me and said: “We’ll swim 100 metres flat out, as close to your world’s record as possible. It will scare the hell out of them. When you finish try to be as casual as you can. By the way, it will be the last 100 you will swim flat out prior to the actual Games. The rest of your work-outs will be under- and -over distance, with the emphasis on the former.”
Terry then made a lot of noise and produced a starting gun and a stop-watch. He called out loud so the Americans could hear him. “Mark, come on, I want to time you over 100 at about 80 percent speed”, and he winked at me.
When the gun went off I surged through the water and kept going as fast as I could. When I touched at the other end Terry called out the time so everyone could hear it, and the time equalled my world record. I smiled as I got out and called out to Terry, ‘That was easy. Do you want me to do another?’ As I looked up the Yanks had their mouths open in disbelief. Terry said, ‘No, we just needed an easy work-out. Let us call it a day.’ Terry and I walked arm in arm back to the dressing room, and when we got there we could not stop laughing. We were rolling around the floor in hysterics. If only you could have seen the faces of the Yanks. You would not believe it.
Anyhow, let me know when you are arriving and I will try to get permission to meet you at the station. I can hardly wait to see you. We enjoy one another’s company so much, and I love listening to you and talking with you. I can be myself with you. So please, let me know when you arrive - if at all possible I will be at the station. I have already spoken to the head coach, Forbes Carlile, and I told him you were my girl-friend. You don’t mind, do you? He said he would think about it, but in any case I could not be away from the Village for more than two hours. I hope you understand.
It is exciting being in the Village now, and the atmosphere is building up each day. As each nation arrives there is an official welcoming ceremony at the Village. The food is tremendous. You can eat as much as you like and there is food for any taste. I will have to watch it to keep my weight stable. As I told you, I would endeavour to get tickets for you into the Village, and I have already got them. Also I have meal tickets for you. Forbes Carlile has been very understanding. He is a very kind man, maybe the most intelligent of all the Australian coaches. He has an M.Sc. from Sydney University in physiology and worked with the famous Professor Frank Cotton, who was the first scientist in Australia to work with athletes. Forbes talked to Terry about me and you, and they have agreed to grant me these privileges because they know what sort of a person I am. So I am particularly honoured.
As you know I have become very good friends with John Devitt. Have I mentioned Kevin O’Halloran, he is the one who comes from Western Australia? Well, he and I have also become very good friends. He is a country boy, very shy and quiet and very sincere. He has made tremendous advances since coming on the team. He does not say much but he is very determined. I think maybe we are very similar in our aspirations.
Must close now, and it is getting close to 9 pm, when I can say good-night to you. I can hardly wait to see you.
Love,
Mark.
Four days before the Games he got a letter from Faith.
Dear Mark,
The time is nearly upon us and we shall see each other again. My train will be arriving at Melbourne at 4.30 pm on Wednesday, September 21. I am so excited I simply cannot think of anything else. The thought of you waiting for me at the station is beyond any of my expectations. I am so frightened I will make a fool of myself when I see you. I have missed you so very, very much. I probably will not know what to say, and I am liable to burst into tears. You mean so much to me, Mark, and to see you and touch you again is what I have dreamed about these months. My whole life is for you, Mark, my whole life. I would do anything for you, Mark, anything. I respect you so much, and I know you will never intentionally hurt me.
I wish I could be with you to see the teams arriving. It would be a thrill. The Village must be exciting, and I can hardly wait to see it. And Mark, if you do meet me at the station, will you please wear your Australian blazer? I have not seen you in it, and I want to. I will be so proud to walk with you in your Australian uniform.
So we will soon be together. I doubt if I will be able to sleep between now and then. Mum and Dad have been marvellous. Dad has paid my fare, and he has given me six pounds of spending money. He said it is more because I have been such a wonderful daughter and he is so proud of me. I was very moved. My mother also made me two dresses for the occasion. They are both floral, and they are lovely. My parents have been fantastic. I am so very lucky.
I went up to your house at 47 Church Street and spoke to your mother. I told her that I would be seeing you in Melbourne. She was very nice, and sent her love to you. She said that your Dad was boasting all over about you and is very proud of you. So there you are. I do not know how much your mother knows about us, but she did not sound very surprised that I would be seeing you.
The girls at school just cannot believe that I am going to the Games, have tickets for the swimming events and will be going into the Village, and will be escorted by you. I can scarcely believe it either.
So, Mark, soon we will be together. I pray that you will be at the station to meet me.
Love,
Faith.
P.S. If you wish to speak to my auntie her name is Shirley Coventry, and my uncle’s name is Rex. You can find the number in the telephone book. I have not told them that you will be meeting me, and naturally they will be there as well.
It was a long and tiring train trip from Sydney to Melbourne for Faith, and try as she might she could not study for her examinations. All she could think of was Mark at the other end. Would he really be there? Will he still love me? Should I rush up to him and kiss him? Will he have changed? All these questions, and so many more, were racing around in her head, and she could not answer any one of them.
When the train was a half hour out of Melbourne she changed into one of the new dresses her mother had made for her, and combed her hair carefully. She had never worn lipstick, but she put a little powder on her face as it was so flushed with excitement. She looked at herself in the cracked mirror in the train and wondered what Mark could see in her. Her body was thin and angular, her breasts quite small, though her stomach was flat, and the animation of her face exemplified not only youth but a person in love.
As the train stopped at the station she seized her small bag containing her belongings, stepped off the train and searched frantically for Mark. She could not see him anywhere, and the tears began to well in her eyes. But she could not see her auntie either. What should she do? Had they mixed up the dates or the time?
Then suddenly she saw Mark, in his green and gold Olympic blazer and grey pants, striding towards her. Without thinking, she dropped her bag and cried out? “Mark! Mark!” and ran to him. He broke out of his walk and ran as well. In a few moments
they were in one another’s arms. He lifted her off the ground, and immediately kissed her.
“Oh, Mark,” she blurted out, “I love you, I love you so. Please hold me tight so I know it is really you.”
“I love you too, Faith,” said Mark, astonished at once again feeling the tremors that swept through her body.
They kissed again, and held one another tightly.
Then Faith remembered she had dropped her bag, and rushed back to get it. Mark took it from her, kissed her again and they started to walk hand in hand from the station.
Then she stopped. “Oh Mark,” she said, “you look so wonderful in your Olympic uniform.”
“Thanks Faith,” Mark said simply, and kissed her again. They were both flushed, their love for one another so very obvious.
“But wait,” exclaimed Faith, “where’s Auntie Shirley?”
“I have a bit of a surprise for you Faith,” said Mark, grinning from ear to ear. “I spoke to your auntie, and your parents had already filled her in about us. So she suggested that I bring you to her place.”
“Oh, Mark, you are wonderful,” said Faith, and immediately moved into his arms. “I would just as soon stand here with your arms around me until eternity.”
“Well me too, Faith, except I would have to leave a bit before eternity, as my races start three days’ hence. Besides, I have another surprise for you.”
“What is it, Mark?” she asked incredulously.
“Forbes Carlile and Terry got together and there is an official Olympic car, with a driver, to take us to your auntie’s place. They realise how important it is for me to have you here, and they wanted everything to be just right.”
“Mark, this is all too good to be true,” she said, and again embraced him.
As they walked out of the station, a car drew up, a new Holden, and a driver said, “Car at your service, Mark.” She handed her bag to him, and they both stepped into the back seat and held hands, and looked into each other’s eyes.