Nice story about monday race.I was working in the Opera House,doing the follow spot for a musical.We were about to start the dress reharsal,guests were already coming in.Suddenly the stage manager and the lighting designer went-what's the time?!How much before she runs?!
They were talking about Cathy Freeman.No matter that the performance was ten minutes away,they went upstairs in the Greenroom to watch Cathy run on the tv screen.I've always been quite sceptical about Cathy,saying that I hoped her to get the silver because a gold was too predictable.And also,when Perec left,Cathy didn't look upset about it enough to be dafined a sportive girl.But I went upstairs in the Green Room,and there i saw something amazing.The all Opera House was gathered around the little tv screen-technicians,secutrity people,managers,directors,singers,musicians,ballerinas fully attired in their costumes warming up in front of the screen and shouting to Cathy like truck drivers.The all Op.House had stopped.And there was such a silence when Cathy started running,you could feel everyone having butterflies,and then-gold!!!Everyone was screaming,laughing,jumping.Next to me,the old italian stage hand (who once helped building the O.H. roof)was crying and hugging me.
Half a minute later,the Green Room was completely empty.Dancers were back jumping on the stage,notes were coming from the Concert Hall.All the huge feeling of before was gone.But it was the most emotional moment I had for....well,a long time.It moved me to tears.Even if I'm not a sport /competition person,even if I'm not australian and even if I'm cynical.