| Sara
Hildebrand - Questions and Answers |
| |
| What
were the differences between the 2 olympic games you went to? |
| |
The
difference between the Sydney and Athens for me was my mind set. For Sydney
I really focused on just having a diving meet and I really down played
the experience. Don't get me wrong, I loved every minute of it - but that
was what I needed to do for ME. I wasn't ready to handle the "pressure"
of the Olympics and what it was all about. I was however ready to to be
at an international meet and just do my dives.
I feel that I did very well holding my composure and enjoying the meet
itself, considering it was roughly my 4th international meet (first major
international meet).
Athens - I was ready to have the Olympic experience and I did. I was ready
to separate the meet from everything else and be able to allow it to be
the OLYMPICS! I feel that I did the best I could do in both competitions
and with the given situations and I didn't let that effect my joy in and
around the rest of the environment.
They both were great and I would never go back and change it (ok, well
you always wish for better or 'only if' because of being a perfectionist).
Overall, it they were just awesome and leave me with so much joy thinking
back about it.
I want to thank you all for asking about the Olympics because it allows
me to relive what I went through. It makes me smile and so happy inside
when I sit and reminisce about the past and my diving. I wish you all
the same joy in your lives. |
| Hi
Sara, I heard that you have special songs you listen to between divers,
can you tell us the name of a few of them? |
| |
I
used to listen to a variety of songs. I like country - up beat songs,
I also liked some hip hop, modern rock and techno. Off the top of
my head I can't remember just what I listened to. I was always making
new mixes of cd's to listen to. Now with IPod, I wouldn't have had
to make so many different mixes of cd's. You all are so lucky!! |
| Did
you like the Opening Ceremonies or the closing ceremonies better? |
| |
Comparing
the Opening and Closing Ceremonies is hard. These are two
very different events and represent two very different meanings. First
lest me talk about Sydney. Opening Ceremonies left me aww struck!
I went to the games with the intention of staying calm and taking
it in like any other meet - yeah right- walking into a stadium that
was filled to the max, the noise level beyond what you can imagine,
and "USA" being chanted all the way around you.... I had
tears, and a smile so big it started to hurt my cheeks.
I was fortunate that I was able to wiggle my way up to the front
of the athlete's boarder and watch the entire lighting
of the torch front row, sitting down. (helps to be little and really
polite). It was just amazing to see such a diverse group of
people all together and sharing the same emotions - pure
joy.
Closing Ceremonies
is different. It is more like a social farewell party. I went
around to all of the countries talking with people, finding people I
had met through out the meet, and exchanging pins and taking pictures.
Walking out of the stadium is a little heart breaking because
you know it is over and the time has come to leave your friends
behind, pack up and put an end to such a great experience. Everything
has to come to a close.
Athens
was similar, with a few changes. I was so thrilled to be back at
the Olympic Games - but I was a little nervous entering the
stadium. The world was a bit unsettled at the time, so safety
was a concern. We were told to be cautious. It was still just as amazing
hearing the cheers and seeing the flags. It brought chills
to me to see how many American flags there were and just how loud
the chanting was for the USA! I could never be more proud
that we (as a country) came through as loud and as strong as we
did. Yeah I wiggled my way through the crowd the second time
too just to be in the front. When your little, you can't see
anything in the back (polite and carefully, I made my way through) so
I made my way to the front once again!
The Closing
Ceremonies were a little different then before. I was sad this
time - because I knew that this was my last time out
as a participating athlete. My time had come to move on and
let go of the sport I love (competitively). I knew I had done all I
could do, and had reached my best potential. I enjoyed my time through
the sport of diving - from the very beginning when I first
started until now. It is always hard to close a good book
and move on.
|
| Do
you still have diving friends when you are at the top, or is everyone
mean because you are there? It seems that other divers get so jealous
that it is harder to be at the top than at the bottom |
| |
Most
important thing to remember about friends - friends are friends no matter
what. You will always find people that are your friend until you beat
them. Suddenly they are not so nice. It happens. Stay true to yourself
and others and you will find your friends along the way. I will agree
with you and say that it is never easy being at the top. There are so
many people jealous of what you have and would do anything to have that
or even take that away from you. Always be your self and don't try any
harder to fit a role that you are not. Because you win does not always
make you a better person, it the the person inside you that makes you
a better winner. I have many friends that I have found along the way and
still today I talk with just a hand full. But I know that they are my
true friends and they would do anything to help me out at any time. I
have not seen some of them since the Games in Athens, yet I still keep
close contact. |
| Sara:
How can I get in touch with you regarding ordering more writst guards
? |
| |
To
order more wrist guards, please e-mail me directly at shildebr@fgcu.edu
and I can get the order form out to you right away. Please e-mail me
through FlipnRip if for some reason it doesn't work.
|
| What
do athletes do after competing at the Olympic Games, do they party with
the friends? Or are they so tired that they just go to rest. |
| |
After
the Games is over what do we do? Well, when I was done competing, I still
had a few weeks left to be in both Australia and Greece. I love to travel
so I went with family out sight seeing. We did as many things as possible
and saw as many things as we could, without missing any other divers competitions.
I also went to some other sports competitions to watch athletes I met
in the village (athletes get into other events free - great to take advantage
of). I was more interested in seeing the culture and things rather than
just partying. So by the time I went sight seeing, had meals, and made
my way back to the village (not always an easy task and I missed the bus
many times) it was late and I was tired, so sleeping was my choice. I
did go out a few times with other athletes that were also finished
and we had a great time together. It is nice to get to know other athletes
outside of the 'competition' mode which is very present even in the
village |