Glance Comes Full Circle as Olympic Coach in Beijing
8/7/2008 12:00:00 AM
Aug. 7, 2008
'Bama in Beijing Olympic Blog
Harvey Glance Olympic Diary
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama head track and field coach Harvey Glance is no stranger to the Olympic Games. The three-time Olympian scorched the straightaway for nearly a decade at the biggest stage. This trip to the games will be much different though for the former fastest man in the world. Glance will represent the United States directing the most potent sprint corps in the world. Glance will check in with RollTide.com on his experiences in Beijing.
"It's great to be remembered as an athlete, but I think it's bigger to be remembered as a coach," Glance said after learning of his assignment as the assistant coach for Team USA. "You go outside of something that's destined by yourself to fitting in an environment where you're impacting other people's lives. I had an impact on my own, and to translate what I feel into someone else's life who has had similar experiences is very, very rewarding."
As the opening ceremonies loom less than 24 hours away, Glance and his athletes have been busy preparing for the pinnacle of their sport. Coaching the sprints and hurdlers along with the relays, the squad has been in training camp in Dalian, China.
"Everything is going fine," Glance said after directing his second to last relay practice. "It has been wonderful here for the athletes. It has been really hot and humid but we are doing what we can to survive the elements."
Glance and team USA left Dalian today to head to the Olympic village in Beijing for the opening ceremonies which will kick off the games tomorrow morning.
Fans can check in on Coach Glance and the rest of the Crimson Tide Olympians by clicking on the Bama in Beijing button located on the men's track and field, cross country, softball and swimming and diving pages.
