Page 8-Wednesday, February 13, 1980-The Michigan Daily
Former gold medalist
still holds Olympic spirit
By BUDDY MOOREHOUSE
When Anne Henning was 11 years old, she was the fastest female skater
in the United States. When she was 14, she was the holder of two world
records, in the 500 and 1,000 meters. Then, at age 16, her ultimate dream was
realized. The young girl from Northbrook, Ill., went to the 1972 Winter
Olympics in Sapporo, Japan, and won a Gold Medal in the 500 meters and a
Bronze in the 1,000. After accomplishing this feat, Henning retired from
speed skating at the age when most athletes are only beginning their career.
In town to help promote the Olympics, Henning, now 24, spoke yesterday
at a press conference at the Briarwood Hilton about her past and about the
Games.
COMPARED TO ITS summer counterpart, the Winter Olympics have
historically been void of political controversy. But as a past competitor in
the Games, Henning had a definite opinion on the U.S. plan to boycott the
Summer! Olympics in Moscow.
"There is no room for politics
in the Olympics, because that's
just not the spirit on which it was
based," said Henning. "The
spirit of the Olympics is peace.
"It (competing in the
Olympics) is such a dream to so
many thousands of people; they
want its so badly and they've gone
6. through such great sacrifice to
have the chance to be honored,"
Henning added. "Then to see the
heads of nations just crush those
hopes and dreams for reasons
totally not concerning the spirit
of the Olympics is a sad
situation."
'The spirit of the Olym- BUT WHILE the Summer
Games are still a few months off,
picS is peace.' Henning was very optimistic
.en about America's chances in
--Anne Henning speed skating events for the
Olympiad beginning today in
Lake Placid, N.Y.
"I don't see any reason why we shouldn't expect, out of 9 events, 17
medals," Henning said as she referred to U.S. standouts such as Eric and
Beth Heiden, Peter Mueller and his wife, Leah, and Dan Immerfall.
Henning, who will be representing two major companies at the Games,
is looking forward to the next two weeks at Lake Placid. "I'm really going to
enjoy these Olympics because in '72 I was a competitor, in '76 I was a
commentator (for ABC), and now I'm going to complete the picture by being
a spectator," said Henning.
Although her skating career ended in 1972, Henning continued to show
her amazing athletic prowess by winning the ABC-TV sponsored Women
Superstars competition a record three times. "Because of me they made up
a rule in my third year (in the Superstars) that you could only win three
times before you're out," recalled Henning. "So now I can't compete in it
any more.''
GONE NOW ARE the short, curly locks that adorned Henning's head for
so many years. Her blonde hair is long and straight, and she and her
husband have settled in beautiful Dillon, Colo. And although she says that
she sometimes wishes she were competing again; the former Olympian
says, "I'm living my childhood now. I spent all my childhood years training,
so I have to make up for lost time!"
That's why Henning can be seen these days near her Dillon, Colo., home
skiing, running and even skating.
Deadline For The
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AP Photo
CONCENTRATION-Goalie James Craig and teammate David Christian
helped U.S.A. skate to a 2-2 tie with Sweden in their Olympic ice hockey
opening game last night.
RALLY CATCHES SWEDEN
U.S. icerestie,'2-2
J
March 14, 1980
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764-2218
By the Associated Press
LAKE PLACID, N.Y.-Defenseman
Bill Baker netted a 55-foot slap shot
with just 27 seconds remaining
yesterday to give the United States a 2-2
comeback tie with Sweden in the
Olympic hockey opener for each team.
Thomas Erikkson's goal at 4:46 of the
third period had given Sweden a 2-1
lead. But with the clokck winding down,
goalie Jim Craig out of the U.S. net
and the crowd screaming widly, Baker
took a pass from Buzz Schneider and
powered his blast past goalie Pelle
Lindbergh to salvage the tie.
The tally sent the crowd into a frenzy
and the U.S. bench emptied to tackle
the last-minute hero.
Sture Andersson had given Sweden a
1-0 lad at 11:04 of the first period, and
Dave Silk answered for the U.S. with 28
seconds left in the second period before
a small but emotional crowd that
waved American flags and half-filled
the rink at the Olympic Center.
The Americans threw shot after shot
at Lingbergh, but the 20-year-old
netminder held them at bay.
The Americans played virtually the
entire game with just four
defensemen-Baker, Ken Morrow,
Mike. Ramsey and David
Christian-giving onlyspotdduty to Bob
Suter, who was filling in for the injured
Jack O'Callahan. The tactic backfired,
however, when Suter, just 20 seconds
into the first shift, failed to tie up
Andersson in front of the net.
Andersson had no trouble taking a
pass from Lars Mohlin and flicking the
puck over Craig.
ThebAmerican squad, known for its
comebacks, rallied in the second
DE
period-being thwarted on a number of
excellent scoring opportunities by
Lindbergh before Silk scored.
Lindbergh, a second-round draft
choice by the National Hockey League
Lake Placid stroll .. .
... Olympic reflections
W AKE UP Lake Placid, the world is at your command! It's been a long
time, 48 years to be exact, since the world last invaded this sleepy
little winter town. And for the next two weeks, the mountain haven in upstate
New York will hold the world's attention as athletes from 38 nations compete
in the XIII Winter Games.
In 1932, the III Winter Games were held in Lake Placid. But what a
difference between then and now. Back then, only 16 nations were
represented, accounting for 330 athletes, compared to the 1,400 that are
present this time around. The cost of the '32 Games was $1.1 million as
opposed to $150 million-slated for the current operating budget. Lastly, the
ticket receipts from '32 totaled $96,000 in contrast to the $13 million expected
over the next two weeks.
Coverage of the Games has also evolved. In 1932, those not at the Games
had to rely on the press or limited radio coverage. Americans now face Jim
McKay and ABC sports bombarding us with a record 51 and a half hours of
coverage. A battalion of 1,100 crew workers, 51 miles of cable and 109
cameras will make the broadcast possible.
* * *
The Winter Olympics of 1932 was held in a time of national emergency.
The nation was in the midst of a depression, and President Hoover was on his
way out of office while Franklin Roosevelt stood-waiting in the wings.
In 1980, President Carter is fighting to keep his office. But more
important, the U.S. is contending with a serious international situation
which may jeopardize its participation in the Moscow Summer Games.
While athletes are hours away from their first competitive action of the
Games, representatives of the many national Olympic committees met in
Lake Placid to determine the fate of those Summer Games. The U.S.
strongly opposes participation in the Moscow Games in light of recent Soviet
aggression in Afghanistan.
However, this critical issue over the Moscow Games will probably not be
resolved while the International Olympic Committee meets at Lake Placid.
Nevertheless, a U.S. boycott is imminent. The IOC last night decided to keep
the Games on schedule and in Moscow. But a U.S. boycott is still a veryreal
possibility.
The "apolitical" myth of the Olympic Games has been hotly debated
ever since the idea of a boycott develped. Add another political dagger tok
this myth. Taiwan athletes will be prevented by the IOC from using their
nation's name (the Republic of China), flag and anthem.
The competition
The American team should perform exceedingly well. The hometeam
advantage will bolster the Americans sharply, as they compete in their
corner of the wor~ld. Look for 18, maybe 20 medals from the U.S. team
overall.
Leading the way for the American team is speed skater Eric Heiden of
Madison, Wis. Heiden is favored to win all five men's individual speed
skating gold medals. No one has ever on that much gold in the Winter
Olympics. If Heiden is successful, his popularity will rival that of Mark
Spitz' who won five individual gold medals in swimming in Munich in 1972.
In the women's speed skating events, Beth Heiden, sister of Eric, figures
to place highly among the women, including a good shot at the gold in the
3000 meter race.
In figure skating, odds are good that Linda Fratianne will maintain the
American dominance in the women's singles event. She is certainly a sure
bet to be on the Ice Capades bill sometime in the near future, following the
path taken by former gold medal winners Peggy Fleming and Dorothy
Hamill.
In other figure skating events, Charles Tickner will have a go at the gold
in the men's singles, although a silver is more realistic. And in pairs, Tai
Babilonia and Randy Gardner will also hold America's gold hopes alive, but
once again, silver is more likely.
* ~**
America's strength obviously rests on ice skates, figure skates in
particular. But on hockey skates, the U.S. dekers, coached by Herb Brooks,
formally of the Minnesota Gophers, will probably win a bronze medal. The
last time the American team won a gold medal was in 1960 in Squaw Valley,
Cal.
The Russians, in the meantime, have risen to such heights of dominance,
that no team will come close to catching them. The U.S. on the other hand,
will have to compete hard to beat out Sweden for the bronze. Meanwile, the
Czechs have a solid lock on the silver.
On the slopes ... Alpine, nordic, bobsled and luge events will not produce
much medal action for the Americans. These events are in the European
domain, with the possible exception of ski jumping, where the Japanese may
pull some upsets. About the only hope for the Americans rests with women
skiers Cyndy Nelson and Heidi Preuss.
Lake Placid, beware. Speed skaters flying as birds, sleds rumbling down
bobsled and luge runs, skiers skidding down mountains and soaring off
jumps, hockey players colliding and figure skaters gliding, it's all
underway. The 1980 Winter Games my be the best Winter Olympics yet.
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Philadelphia Flyers last August, was
dazzling in the period.
He faced 29 shots, stopping them all
until center Masrk Johnson and Silk
broke in alone. Silk, after nearly
colliding with Johnson, picked up the
puck and lifted a 10-foot shot over the
netminder's left shoulder.
Meanwhile on this, the, first day of
competition at the 1980 Winter Games,
Romania stunned West Germany 6-4
and Czechoslovakia blanked Norway
11-0 in other Blue Division matches
while Canada blasted Holland 10-1 in a
Red Division clash.
Japan played Russia and Finland
met Poland in night contests.
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Taiwan and Mainland China to
compete under separate flags
By the Associated Press
ID E New York State's highest court
cleared the way for the first
participation in the Games by Mainland
Sn g Program China since the 1949 communis
revolution. The Court of Appeal
:e's has ieveral refused to strike down an IOC rule
efor Fall, i98. requiring that the team from Taiwan
must not compete under the flag and
ho: anthem of the Republic of China.
THE TAIWAN group said it was
kend shifts considering a further appeal to the U.S.
Supreme Court.
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