An Olympic Champion is Crowned

Olympics wrapped up in dramatic fashion this evening, as the winning country was announced at the Closing Ceremony on the Lower Field. Congratulations to the nation of Bangladesh!

But wait! We’re not there yet. Let’s fire up the Delorean and go back in time a bit to the previous day’s Olympic action.

48 HOURS EARLIER…

Day 2 started out overcast, with a welcome breeze that cooled everything off and set the stage for the day’s events. After breakfast, the teams spread out across camp for Medal-Round games. The gold medal in Water Polo went to Myanmar, while Nigeria took the gold in Basketball. Ethiopia won gold in Ultimate Frisbee, and Bangladesh won gold in an intense Soccer match. Finally, Azerbaijan played a mean game of Newcomb and prevailed with the gold medal.

After a lunch of B’s and D’s (and Team Chants, if you are following our Instagram), the campers enjoyed a much-needed rest hour in preparation for the afternoon’s individual events. Each country’s Head Coach and Captain(s) were responsible for assigning team members to one event, based on interest and skill level. There was a track and field meet on the Upper Field, which included runs of varying length, long jump, football throw, and more. At the Pool, our strongest swimmers competed in events such as individual butterfly, medley relay, and even a long-distance swim in which a Senior or Hi-Senior swam 4 pool lengths completely on his own!

Other individual competitions included Archery, Kayaking, Tennis, a Ropes course wall climb, and an “Extreme” Golf game in which Seniors and Hi-Seniors followed a pre-determined course of “holes” that led from the Upper Field (where they had to hit a ball against the sports shed) throughout the rest of camp. At one point, Nigeria was putting from underneath a picnic table in the grove!

The afternoon concluded with the day’s main event — the camper Triathlon. One Junior and one Senior/Hi-Senior from each of the 6 countries competed in an extreme physical and mental challenge. Swim half the length of the lake, bicycle up the Ridge to the Silverdome, and run back down to the lake AND THEN KEEP RUNNING AROUND ONE MORE LOOP to the finish line. Juniors were up first, with 2 heats of 3 teams each. With the entire camp cheering them on, these young campers crossed the finish line with a resolve far beyond their years. Once all of the Juniors were finished competing, the Seniors/Hi-Seniors swam to the middle of the lake for their race. With grit and determination (and awe-inspiring endurance and strength), these young men completed a grueling Triathlon and received a well-deserved hero’s welcome at the finish line.

THIS MORNING…

The Ultimate Olympic Challenge is a highlight of these 3 days. An all-camp relay race, the Olympic Challenge includes all members of each team — from the smallest Juniors to the Captains and Head Coaches. The relay is a combination of land and water challenges, and there is something for everyone’s skill level. The fastest runners sprint across camp, while the strongest swimmers race in the pool. Younger campers typically participate by rounding the bases in a wheelbarrow race, scoring a knock hockey goal on the Junior Gathering Deck, or sinking a basket in Pop-a-Shot. The relay race culminates in the Captain’s run, where each team’s Captain(s) run the length of the Lower Field, behind the Dining Hall, and up the hill to the Upper Field and across the finish line.

The teams spent the remainder of the morning, and a large chunk of the afternoon preparing for tonight’s Song Competition. Over the 3 days of Olympics, each team must choose a popular song and rewrite it with lyrics that reflect the spirit of competition as well as what it means to be a camper at Owego. These song performances are intended to be an upbeat, passionate display of team spirit. Head coaches and Captains write the songs, and use the preparation time to teach it to the rest of the team. These songs often become part of the lore of Lake Owego. They are chosen very carefully!

EARLIER TONIGHT…

Following tonight’s Olympic dinner of steak and fries, one of the only opportunities the camp has to sit by team rather than by bunk, the Song Competition kicked off at the Stage. One by one, the countries took the stage and performed their team songs. There was dancing and fist-pumping and even a volleyball toss between co-Captains. The performances were heartfelt and joyful. Everyone on the stage, from the smallest Junior to the tallest counselor, was having a great time. That’s the spirit of Owego Olympics.

The closing ceremony began with the campers exiting the stage area and proceeding to the Lower Field, arm in arm with their teammates. The Olympic flame burned brightly in the falling dusk, as Dave stood beside it and watched the teams advance to their places. The teams formed a rainbow colored semi-circle around the flame. Everyone held their breath as the Captains of each team were asked to step forward and stand beneath their respective country’s rolled-up flag. As Dave began to read the results, campers squeezed each other a bit tighter. Sixth place, Ethiopia. The co-Captains unfurled their flag, hugged each other, and joined their team in the semi-circle. Fifth place, Myanmar. Fourth place, Azerbaijan. Third place, and the bronze medal, went to Nigeria.

A wave of nervous chatter rippled through the crowd, as Armenia and Bangladesh stood frozen. Who would be crowned the winner of Olympics 2024? As Dave awarded second place to Armenia, a roar erupted from the team of Bangladesh. Team members rushed forward to embrace their Captain and Head Coach. Victory was theirs!

As Bangladesh celebrated their big win, all of the teams began to embrace and congratulate one another. Friends shared in the joy of victory and also in the agony of defeat. The camp came back together as one. Blue and white. Owego brothers. It was an exciting and emotional 3 days, and we all shared the experience together.

That’s the magic of Owego.

 

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