The entire pool was filled. Everyone sat in their seats waiting. The announcer's voice sliced through the tension in the air.
"I'm not worried about this relay. The Americans are gonna beat the French no problem."
At last the official readied the swimmers and started the race.
"And they're off. The French get out to an early lead."
A French fan mutters, "I bet those Americans don't think they are all that anymore."
"Smith has a beautiful turn and takes the lead!"
Americans scream and cheer for their relay.
"Oh no! Martin regains the lead for France and sets up a HUGE lead for the Frenchmen. It looks like France could have this relay in the bag."
The Americans moaned. It was another failure. Another Californian getting called fat. One more Texan getting called ignorant to the world around him. A "redneck" getting mocked because he likes to use guns.The government being ridiculed for spending so much on military defense.
The audience rose to their feet. If the American's lost it would all be true, the claims that we were selfish and arrogant human beings. Not deserving of our wealth. True that we were lazy and dumb.
The last leg of the relays leapt off the blocks.
"The anchor for the French, Moreau, is expanding the lead! It looks like all the Americans can do is secure second."
Nobody breathed. Nobody hoped. Everyone just waited.
"And I don't believe it! It seems like Moreau is slowing down! Jones for the Americans is catching up! It's down to the last 3 strokes. One, two, threeee. I don't believe it! Jones has come back and won it for the Americans." There they are. The champions of the pool. Americans.
It would take some time for the crowd to stop their cheering. Those that were staying for the next race still had to be nervous. It wouldn't do for an American to become too confident when the Americans had proved that they were the fastest swimmers in the world.
This is a video of the 2008 Beijing Olympics where Jason Lezak had an amazing relay split to come from behind and beat Alain Bernard, the fastest 100 meter freestyler at the time. This win helped Michael Phelps on his path to 8 Olympic Gold medals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziV6tCqBJBY
