Though maybe not the red-hot favorite for gold, John Dane III still steals the limelight among those “superstars”, for he is the oldest American athlete who sails with his son-in-law, Austin Sperry, in the Olympic Sailing Competition in Star Men's class.
It is a lifelong dream for Dane, who has spent more than 40 years trying to be in Olympics. As a businessman of a yacht-building company, Dane's Olympic pursuit started in 1968, when he sailed his first Olympic Trials and finished second. After that he tried in every Olympic Trials until 2004, but all failed. And he finally got his ticket to Beijing Olympic Games after competing at seven different Olympic trials in four different classes.
“I am just making memories,” said Dane when talking about his age and regarding to him as the oldest U.S. Olympian in more than 50 years.
And Dane laughed and told the funny story happening in Beijing Olympic Games.
“Volunteers and officials look at me and point and say, ‘Coaches over there, athletes over here,’”said Dane.
Now Dane and Sperry know each other so well and cooperate better than with others, however neither regarded the other as a potential teammate for Olympics or a future relative when they first met. And Sperry did not think it was a good idea to compete with someone in his mid-50s. However now Sperry is convinced by Dane's work ethic and showing him what it takes to be ultra successful.
Dane said their opponents overlooked them due to not only their 17th-ranked Star boat in the world, but also Dane's age.
“Sailing is a thinking man’s sport where experience counts,” said Dane.
“Austin’s youth, athleticism and enthusiasm coupled with my racing experience and never-say-die attitude make us a great team.”
And Dane believes that his advantage is that, unlike most of his opponents, he is not a full-time professional sailor.
“There really isn't much pressure to win because it isn't going to enhance my career. My career is boat building,” he said. “Life goes on whether I come home with a medal or not.”
“To see all those people clapping and waving and the spectacular ceremonies to that crazy lighting of that torch. . . . Certainly, I don't know what would top that in my book other than standing on a podium with a gold medal,” Dane still got excited when talking about the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympics.
Though Dane and Sperry did not enter the medal round race, they still felt excited.
“I'm living the American dream,” just as Dane put it somewhere before.