Watching Amanda Beard (bio, more photos) over the years compete in the Olympic Games and watching her on television interviews made me think about the first time I met the talented swimmer.
I may have been the only reporter to ever make Amanda cry, although believe me, it wasn’t my intent.
She was 14 years old and was a couple months away from starting her sophomore year at Irvine High when city officials held a sendoff for her in July, 1996, prior to the Olympic Games.
Beard went on to win the silver medals in the 100 and 200-meter breastroke events at the Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Swimming was what Beard liked to do best.
Clearly, she wasn’t comfortable with all the attention paid to her during the evening tribute in 1996 at the Heritage Park Aquatics Complex (now called the Woollett Center).
Once in front of the pool, Beard received a standing ovation from guests, some wearing “Amanda to Atlanta” T-shirts as Olympic-themed music played over the portable loudspeakers.
The tributes were many for Beard.
“We’re all very proud of the fact that you’re going to the Olympic Games,” said Dave Salo, Beard’s coach with the Novaquatics at the time.
When the ceremony concluded, reporters met with the young swimmer, who had not dealt much with the media before.
I remember asking Amanda a question like, “what does this all mean to you and what is your reaction?”
As she began to talk, Amanda broke down and started to cry as the young swimmer was apparently overcome by all the excitement and emotion of the evening.
It was the last thing I wanted to do; to put a damper on what had been a festive evening.
Amanda’s friends, and her mother, Gayle, tried to comfort her and took her up to a grassy hill away from all the spectators.
“She was a little reluctant for this,” said Amanda’s father, Dan Beard. “She would just as soon go out quietly, but I try and tell her it’s more for her teammates to wish her well than really for her.
“It’s not her favorite thing – I think she would just as soon hang out with four or five friends.”
Well, Amanda, who is confident and articulate in interviews, will probably look back at that day and laugh now.
Looking back, it seems like an interview with the Irvine World News in her hometown would be a breeze compared to an appearance on live television with Jay Leno in front of millions of people.
Amanda still carries the teddy bear she had back in 1996, but she’s obviously matured quite a bit.
Amanda has already accomplished quite a bit since those early years, winning seven Olympic medals in her three previous Olympic appearances.
As a result of her second place finish in the 200-meter breaststroke at the U.S. Swim Trials last weekend, Beard has qualified for her fourth consecutive U.S. Olympic team.
The 26-year-old Beard has also been a successful model and has appeared on numerous magazine covers.
While Beard is an Irvine alumn, she hasn’t gone out of her way to come back to the city where she started her illustrious career.
But that probably won’t keep hundreds of swimmers, including those who showed up at the sendoff in 1996, from pulling for her in Bejing.
As for reporters interviewing Amanda, there is no need to worry about making her cry.
She can obviously handle the pressure.
Related:
• Amanda Beard bio and photos
