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11-27-2002, 08:55 PM
Last night I finally got around to watching the videotape of the Long Island TV station's coverage of Sarah Hughes' Great Neck parade (what can I tell you- I'm behind on my videotapes).
It turned out that before Sarah spoke, Robin Wagner spoke briefly. She told about being on the road with Sarah, travelling around the world together. And she told the following interesting anecdote.
Robin said that it was their habit, right before a competition, to sit around in the hotel room that she shared with her husband, and she, her husband (Jerry Grossman I think- I'm pretty sure about the Jerry part) and Sarah would discuss recent NY Times columns and world events, anything but skating. But, she said, before the Olympic long program, Sarah asked Jerry what would have to happen for her to win the gold. Jerry replied that she would have to skate to perfection, and that Irina would have to have higher scores than Michelle but not as high as Sarah. And Sarah's response was something to the effect of, "I can do that."
I found the story intriguing because for all the talk that Sarah skated clean because she was in fourth place and felt no pressure to go for the gold. It would seem the gold was on her mind after all.
There was also a neat moment when Sarah was speaking, saying nice things about Robin and Robin got teary eyed. Mrs. Hughes, who was sitting next to Robin, dug out a tissue and handed it to her, then got one for herself. A few moments later, when Sarah was saying loving things about her mother, Mrs. Hughes got teary, and Robin offered her the tissue back (but Mrs. Hughes indicated she had her own).
Another fun moment (I guess this is turning into a report, but believe me, the coverage was three hours long, and you're all getting a very abridged version): The kids from Sarah's class gave her a Great Neck North tee shirt. Sarah unfolded it and saw that on the back it said 02. She was quite taken aback, and said something like "2?" Her classmates immediately assured her it referred to 2002 and not her placement at the Olympics.
And one final thing (only because I'm a younger sister and identify with all younger sisters). When the entire Hughes family came out for the presentations and speeches, the TV commentator called Taylor Hughes, Sarah's youngest sister, Tara. Not once, but twice. If that had happened to me, it would have doubled the amount of time I spent in therapy!
:D
It turned out that before Sarah spoke, Robin Wagner spoke briefly. She told about being on the road with Sarah, travelling around the world together. And she told the following interesting anecdote.
Robin said that it was their habit, right before a competition, to sit around in the hotel room that she shared with her husband, and she, her husband (Jerry Grossman I think- I'm pretty sure about the Jerry part) and Sarah would discuss recent NY Times columns and world events, anything but skating. But, she said, before the Olympic long program, Sarah asked Jerry what would have to happen for her to win the gold. Jerry replied that she would have to skate to perfection, and that Irina would have to have higher scores than Michelle but not as high as Sarah. And Sarah's response was something to the effect of, "I can do that."
I found the story intriguing because for all the talk that Sarah skated clean because she was in fourth place and felt no pressure to go for the gold. It would seem the gold was on her mind after all.
There was also a neat moment when Sarah was speaking, saying nice things about Robin and Robin got teary eyed. Mrs. Hughes, who was sitting next to Robin, dug out a tissue and handed it to her, then got one for herself. A few moments later, when Sarah was saying loving things about her mother, Mrs. Hughes got teary, and Robin offered her the tissue back (but Mrs. Hughes indicated she had her own).
Another fun moment (I guess this is turning into a report, but believe me, the coverage was three hours long, and you're all getting a very abridged version): The kids from Sarah's class gave her a Great Neck North tee shirt. Sarah unfolded it and saw that on the back it said 02. She was quite taken aback, and said something like "2?" Her classmates immediately assured her it referred to 2002 and not her placement at the Olympics.
And one final thing (only because I'm a younger sister and identify with all younger sisters). When the entire Hughes family came out for the presentations and speeches, the TV commentator called Taylor Hughes, Sarah's youngest sister, Tara. Not once, but twice. If that had happened to me, it would have doubled the amount of time I spent in therapy!
:D