BUT YES, BACK TO TIM.

Little had we known that, as we threw ourselves into frenzied celebration, Tim’s brain had decided it was all too much, and he simply passed out. Luckily it was only temporary, and moments later he was back up on his unsteady feet, running around with us like idiots. It was only later when we were savouring the memory that he told us that his short sojourn on the floor hadn’t just been a private moment, but he was, in fact, unconscious.

By why were we so overcome with emotion? It’s not uncommon for tears of joy to be shed at the Olympic Games. But this victory was special and had been years in the making. Not only was it preceded by another 45-44 victory against Hungary, but this whole experience was a mirror image of our previous Olympic Games.

THE ATHENS OLYMPICS IN 2004 WAS MY FIRST.

I arrived in Greece accompanied by my dear friends; confidence, excitement and anxiety. However, the Olympic gods didn’t waste any time dealing me a crushing defeat on the first day, in my first round of the Olympics by the former World Champion, Luigi Tarantino of Italy. There went my confidence. And my excitement, for that matter. Despite an emotional meltdown after the event, I managed to pull myself together resolving to bring everything I had left to the team event in a few days time.

The day came and Keeth Smart, Ivan Lee, Tim Morehouse and I we were up against Hungary in the quarterfinal, a team that boasted some intimidating talent. I had found my feet in that match and was proud of my ability to overcome the wounds of the individual competition. The match was tight, and we edged our way to victory after courageous performances in the final two bouts by Keeth and Ivan.