Aug 10 2008
Oh Really, Alain?
Perhaps Alain Bernard didn’t get the memo that swimmers should not make statements that they’re going to “smash” anyone in Olympic 400 Free Relay races. The last time someone said that *cough Gary Hall Jr.* his team was upset.
So, fast forward to the Beijing games where 100 Free World Record Holder Alain Bernard, of France, said the following:
“The Americans? We’re going to smash them. That’s what we came here for”
Au contraire, mon frère.
And how awesome was GWG during the post race interview? Classic!
Team USA put together the perfect race and Jason Lezak brought it home in World Record fashion. He chased down Mr. Bernard and out-touched him at the wall. The fastest relay spit ever and it was beautiful!
So let this be a lesson to anyone swimming the 400 Free Relay at the Olympics. Please don’t predict that you’re going to “smash” anyone. It’s been done and it never ends well.
GO USA!
P.S. I might have pulled something jumping around the room after we won. Just thought I’d share.
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17 Responses to “Oh Really, Alain?”
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LOL I’d like to share, that because Jessica and I were screaming at the television so much, her grandfather ran upstairs because he thought one of us had hurt ourselves…
Btw, Lezak? Pulled that out of NOWHERE! Insane race. INSANE.
I’m pretty sure I strained a vocal chord. And pretty sure my dad was tired of hearing me scream. Ah! I am so excited! Way to go, Jason!
P.S. Did anyone else think that the vein in Phelps’ neck was going to pop?
P.S.S. I really hate that my Dad’s middle name is Alain. But don’t fear, he was cheering for the US!
Hi there,
I am living in Australia but an underground fan of the USA swim team (I have to keep it hush hush for obvious reasons…hehe) Anyway, I generally get my fix from places like NBC.com or YouTube but due to it being the Olympics and copyright issues I have not been able to get my fix.
Whilst we have been getting coverage of the races, there has been no interviews from winners (ie phelps and co) or no footage of the medal ceremonies. Would any of you be able to post a transcript of what was said, or even better find some video of the post event interviews?
Thanks heaps,
Your ever grateful undercover USA fan!
Posting it is kind of dangerous….since NBC owns it an all.
I see – can someone post a transcript then? That would be awesome, thanks!
j. lezak is my hero. that was the most amazing thing i have everrr seen. insaaaaaaaaanEEEEEEE!!!
i wish i could watch it live =( what a freaaaakin bummer
Me too, Kiwi. I have to avoid the internet and text messages. Espically the ones starting ” OH MY GOD!!!!!”
icania, I’ll see what I can do! I think we can be “underground” about some things ourselves
Thank you, thank you, thank you Suz! It’s not the best being a fan of a country where you are currently not living in! Looking forward to the undercover operation
It’s all good! I’ll do my best to hook you up!
I’m a fan of many of your Aussies. I’m just a big swiming fan! Some of our fave Aussie girls are going to be the new “Special Guest” here on our website.
Which I am very excited about!
And I want to add to this post: When Bill O’Reilly mentions this race, labels it as the best he’s ever seen, and names the 4×100 relay team as “patriots,” and makes fun of Alain “the french baby”, you know that race was badass!
Don’t mean to be picky… but isn’t that exactly what the American ladies thought about their 4×100 Free relay? Smashing the Aussies and completely disregarding the Golden Girls???
- A Dutch fan of your site -
Carrie, I cannot believe you brought Bill O’Reilly into this…
Ew. Ew. EW.
To: seesel,
Not sure what you’re talking about. The women on this US team don’t talk trash about their races. They just swim their races. If one of them said they were going to smash the Aussies, I completely missed it. Care to point out where any one of them made a bold prediction like that? Or are you referring to a different Olympic Games?
I’m not suggesting talking trash, but definitely disregarding a certain country as a competitor for the medals. I’m referring to the press conferences by the Aussies and the Americans where both countries completely disregarded our Dutch ladies… When a Dutch journalist asked the USA coach “And what about the world record holder?”, he answered “We know they have strong swimmers. Australia is really a nation to consider!”…
Yet the world record holders still are the Dutch.
And yes, I’m talking about the Beijing Olympics.
That is nowhere near the situation with France. That was blatant disrespect with all that trash talking. Alain knew exactly what he was doing even though it had been done before with similar end results.
I think we interpret that quote very differently. Here’s how I saw it:
No one was disregarding the Dutch. The American and Aussie teams are friendly rivals and have been for a very long time. They know each other well and the media plays into that. There were Aussie media at our Trials inquiring about the rival athletes from Down Under. The US team is well versed on them; more than any other country.
Also, ever hear of the “Duel in the Pool” competition? It’s held regularly and is Australia vs. USA. It’s just in the swimming culture to always keep an eye out for the Aussies. No disrespect to anyone else. Just a friendly rivalry.
Both of those teams know that the Dutch are the World Record Holders. They are used to focusing on their main rival, but that doesn’t mean they’re “disregarding” anyone. The WR holders are automatically a medal threat. That’s a given. They were saying that the Aussies shouldn’t be overlooked just because they aren’t WR holders. It’s the Olympics. You can’t count anyone out; especially your biggest rival!
I just don’t see how the situations are even remotely similar. This post was about poor sportsmanship and very costly trash talking. The Americans did nothing of the sort in the press conference you cited. It is not in any of those girls’ characters to expect to “smash” anyone like you suggested. So I’m not sure how you got that impression, although I do understand being protective of your own country’s athletes! We’re the same way! Perhaps we can agree to disagree!