Interesting Olympic Moments - Sink or Swim, Eric "The Eel" Moussambani
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As the countdown to the Beijing Olympic Games winds down, I can't help but reflect on the Olympic Games of the past. In an effort to catalogue some of these reflections I have compiled a list of the greatest Olympic moments ever recorded. These moments, though glorious in their own way, are an eclectic mix of the great, forgotten and funny.
Great Moment #1 - Eric "The Eel" Moussambani
Back in the summer of 2000, at the Sydney Games, Eric "The Eel" Moussambani, swam his way to International fame in the 100 meter freestyle. Did Eric win the gold? No. Did he overcome a pre race tragedy, like the death of a loved one? No. Did he almost drown? Yes.
Eric, representing Equatorial Guinea, came to the game with a whopping eight months of swimming under his belt. In fact, Equatorial Guinea didn't even have an Olympic size swimming pool for him to train in. No problem. Eric's used the local hotel pool, learned the swimming ropes and hit the road for Sydney.
In a twisted turn of events, Eric's heat in the 100 meter freestyle only consisted of two other swimmers and Eric. Eric, not the favorite, stood on the starting platform and watched as the other two swimmers false started. Both swimmers were disqualified, leaving Eric to swim alone. Eric, sensing that the crowd was behind him, blasted off the platform and into the water. He swam like a maniac for 25 yards and bonked. By the time he reached the home stretch, I thought he was going to drown. His arms turned over, clutching at the water, but he wasn't going anywhere. Despite my lack of faith, Eric hung tough. He persevered and finished the 100 meter freestyle in 1:52.72, shattering the Equatorial Guinea national record. Forget that it was a full minute and change behind any competitive time, that wasn't important. The man had finished.
Looking back on that Olympic moment I am amazed by how some events can be so humorous and yet so courageous. For me, it was an Olympic moment I will never forget. Eric "The Eel" Moussambani, you are the man.
Commentary On Beijing Games by Sschilke
More "Interesting Olympic Moments"
Eric "The Eel" in Action
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Comments
Misha,
The two commentators in the video clip, almost as good as Eric "the eel" himself.
sschilke
OMG!!! LOL! That was a good laugh...even thought this was from 2000 it was new to me. I found myself holding my breath at the end...would he make it...would he not...oh oh...it's going to be close...YAY! He makes it...
Thanks for the share!
Wow! Less than 30 seconds in the water, I already saw fatigue setting in, but he finished. I give props to him for that and I wonder if Equatorial Guinea will compete in the winter olympics soon.
Spryte,
Even though it was a race with only one participant, it had to be the best finish I have ever seen.
talented Ink,
I hope they compete in the Winter games. I would love to see Eric "the eel" figure skate.
sschilke
This was a delightful blast from the past...I so enjoyed reliving the excitment and humor from that "record breaking" swim!
Cole connection,
Hopefully there will be more "Record breaking" swims this year in China.
sschilke
Thanks for the memory! I totally agree, it was a moment of true sportsmanship.
Misha says:
12 months ago
LMAO (Laughing My Ass Out)! That's hilarious - and you are right, encouraging!