Meeting President Obama

MEETING PRESIDENT OBAMA

From Thayer:

More than two months have passed since the Olympics but the memories remain fresh and positive.

I hear from Mike every so often and was excited when he sent me a picture taken when the U.S. Olympic team visited the White House in late September. Now Mike and Keron Stoute (MHS 09') can argue over what is the bigger deal: Keron met the Queen of England at the Commonwealth Games in 2014, and now Mike has met President Obama.

I'm also happy to report that Mike plans on visiting Manchester later this month and I am looking forward to seeing him.

Looking back on the whole Olympic experience I am grateful to have had the opportunity to witness so many outstanding athletes and performances. At times I feel as though it was an unreal experience, However, whenever some asks me about the trip I still remember the excitement in the air, the feel of the cool night air, the smells of the food and  the cheering crowds.  I can't help but smile at how blessed I was to be there and watch history unfold. Watching Mike reach the highest level in all of sports -- it is difficult to put into

words accurately.

Through all of Mike's success and achievements he is still a focused determined man that is humbly great full for all of God's blessings

FLYING HOME

From Thayer:

As I settle into my seat for an overnight flight back to the States, I am filled with so many memories: 

Like the noise of the crowd when Usain Bolt walked into the stadium. The overwhelming emotions watching Mike compete at the Olympics.  The stunning beauty of the ocean, mountains and forests.  The absolutely awe inspiring Christ the Redeemer statue.

This journey began many years ago when I met Mike in a Phys Ed class -- we just didn't know it at the time. Mike jumped at the Olympics 25 years to the day my athletic career ended.  I am fairly sure that was not a coincidence.

As Crosby, Stills and Nash sing, "Spirits are using me / Larger voices calling" in Southern Cross.

But I will tell you the journey is not over not by a long shot. To see the man Mike is today is, well, he is an incredible man but he is still Mike from Manchester.

I still see that smile that Felicia Falkowski (another PE  teacher would talk about whenever Mike’s name comes up.   I see the same young man that Charlie Vousden and Carl Bujaucius mentored in STARS (Mike specifically wanted to thank them).

And I see Paul Mondor and Larry Bowie --my high school coaches. These two men altered the direction of my life -- and I am standing on their shoulders. Although they retired from coaching many years ago they continue to coach through me.  Thanks, coaches -- you changed my life.

So here is what keeps coming back to me: Dream great dreams.  Surround yourself with people that have great dreams also. Take advantage of opportunities (Mike was a basketball player) and persevere.

"When all hope was gone in faith he hoped on" because life is going to come at you and you will fail and you will fall. But it is worth it. It's worth it.

Mike had a special treat for his old coach on Thayer's last day in Rio.

A SPECIAL VISIT

Thayer writes: "So I spent my last day in Rio as Michael's guest at the USA house on Ipanema Beach it was an exciting time I met Gold Medalists Olympians both past and present. I had a great experience." To see more photos click here.

SEEING THE SIGHTS

Thayer visited the famous Escadaria Selaron -- famous steps that were where Snoop Dogg and Pharell Williams recorded the music video "Beautiful." He also visited Metropolitana de São Sebastião (an "amazing church" says Thayer). Also, "I waited hours to see Christ the Redeemer. The wind was blowing about 40 miles an hour ... you had to lean into the wind then some rain. The crazy thing was the rain was being blown up the mountain. The rain was not falling on you it was coming from below -- all in all an incredible experience." You can see the photos on our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1797935403785956&id=1677756609137170

Mike Hartfield with Thayer in Copacabana

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES

"So I wanted to fill you in on some of the trip," Thayer wrote in an email that arrived last night.

Here are the highlights, with some info added from texts that have trickled in the past few days:

First, as was planned, he move out of the room he was renting for his three nights and is now staying in a hostel by Copacabana Beach.

"I have met so many great people," he writes, including two nurses -- one from British Colombia and the other from Australia. They met years ago and plan vacations together to attend the Olympics, and this in their third such trip.

"I've also so met English fans on the subway to Copacabana," he writes,."They are so proud of their country."

Here's more:
  

Lunch with two long jumpers:
Mike (left) and Tyrone Smith of Bermuda

"I met an Italian family that came for the love of the sport. So many Brazilians excited about  cheering for their country  I met an Israeli father and two younger children that offered to share a cab after one of the competitions. I met Cuban fans on the train."

"I met Andrew Evans, a US Discus thrower and his family on the way up to see Christ The Redeemer (which is a huge statute of Jesus Christ in Rio.)"

"I have had a crash course in the culture.  And I have tasted some great food.  At all tourist venues, athletic venues and train/subway stops I have seen security, police, military. So I have felt safe."

Has he had any problems?

"Once my Uber driver got lost so I decided to walk ... not the best neighborhood but I found some of the best brick oven pizza in the world  so it all worked out and I had a good walk to burn off the calories."

Here are some final thoughts (for now anyway):

"This has been a dream come true. I have always wanted to see Rio. I have dreamed of the Olympics from the time I started running. As a coach to see one of your athletes make it to the highest level in the world -- it is so humbling  I can't thank Mike enough for sharing this experience with me," 

MIKE COMES UP SHORT

First things first:

Mike didn't qualify for tonight's long jump finals. He had three jumps in the qualifying round and one was thrown out because he stepped beyond the takeoff board. The other two were measured at 7.66 meters -- which equals 25.1 inches. He needed to reach 25.9 inches to qualify (and, by way of comparison, has a personal best of 27 feet three inches).

You can read the story at left in its entirety here, and note that sportswriter Matt Conyers is also an MHS grad. 

Also, we also included a picture that was tweeted out last night of a group led by Justis Lopez that gathered at Buffalo Wild Wings to watch on TV. Justis is an MHS grad, a current MHS teacher, a friend of Mike's and -- like so many others in town -- extremely proud, regardless of how last night went.

As for Thayer? He checked in yesterday from the stadium and hopefully will be back in touch from Rio again today.

THAYER REACHES BRAZIL

Tall and tan and young and lovely 
The girl from Ipanema goes walking 
And when she passes, each one she passes 
Goes "A-a-a-h"

That's how Frank Sinatra's version of the song goes (go ahead, give it a listen).

Our own Thayer Redman was on Ipanema Beach today. Copacabana, too. Yep, he made it to Rio, where tomorrow he will be in Olympic Stadium watching Mike Hartfield attempt to qualify for Saturday's long jump finals.

There are more of his pictures embedded in a video that's on the MPSPride Facebook page. Otherwise, we don't have a lot to share. Thayer sent a few cryptic notes by text: "Long flight long day but worth it" and "very safe lots of police and soldiers" and "very festive."

Exciting stuff!