Experiencing victory on the fields of the lower level and in the stands of the hockey rink may be old news to Deerfield athletes and fans, but this summer Academy sports took on a new challenge: the Olympics.

A seven-hour plane ride across the Atlantic and several time zones didn't stop Deerfield teachers, alumni, students and fans from taking part in this summer's Olympic games in Athens, Greece.

Oliver Rosenbladt, girls' crew coach, worked in Athens as a Crew statistician for NBC Sports. Mr. Rosenbladt was hired as a rowing expert to help the on-air anchors with names, facts, figures, and dates involving the teams and races. "My job was to make the commentators look good," he said.

This wasn't Mr. Rosenbladt's first Olympic experience. He worked on photography during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and stayed in the states providing coverage of the 2000 Sydney games. Mr. Rosenbladt also rowed in the Olympic trials in 1996 and 2000. While living in a "media village" in Athens, Mr. Rosenbladt had the opportunity to see a lot of live Olympic action, but watching crew was still the highlight of his trip. "It was great just because a lot of people I rowed with were there; it was fun to see people I know in action," he said.

While Mr. Rosenbladt was helping viewers at home to enjoy the contests, Ann Redpath '05 was in Athens cheering on her favorites. Redpath watched many events, including Carly Patterson win the gold medal in women's gymnastics and Paul Hamm win the gold in men's gymnastics. She even pushed her way through a mob to catch a close-up glimpse of the swimming world's newest heartthrob, Michael Phelps.

Despite anxieties over terrorist attacks at this year's games, which at times were criticized for being geared solely towards American audiences, Redpath felt safe once she experienced the sense of global community created by the Olympics. "I was nervous about cheering really loud because I was American, but everyone was cheering for everyone else. People were putting on temporary tattoos [of the flags of the finalists' countries] and being really supportive," she said.

Kristen Luckenbill, sister of Jamie Luckenbill '03, and cousin of Morgan Olson '02 and Meredith Olson '05, helped lead the USA Women's Olympic soccer team to gold. "Lucks," as her teammates call her, played for Dartmouth, and now plays for the Carolina Courage. Accomplishments from her college career include being named three-time All-American, the Ivy League Rookie of the year, and NSCAA All-American. Luckenbill also holds the all-time record for shutouts and least goals scored against at Dartmouth. Luckenbill continued to show her prowess on the Olympic fields. According to her brother, Jamie, during the games against Germany and Brazil, "She had probably two of the greatest nights in her life."

"We're incredibly proud of her for sticking with the sport that she loves and has a gift for. Seeing her make it all the way to Athens was incredible for us. Our entire family was watching the game on TV, screaming for USA," said Meredith Olson.

Yoo Suk Kim '99 vaulted his way to Athens this summer with the Korean national team. Kim holds the Korean national pole vault record at 18' 2 1/2". While at Deerfield, Kim won the NEPSTA championship three consecutive years, and during his junior year he set the New England prep record at 14' 7". Kim also set the Deerfield record at 15'. Kim now competes for the UCLA track team. Although he did not advance to the finals in Athens, Kim cleared the opening height of 17' 4 1/4".

There were many surprises at this year's Olympic games: the underdog winning the race, teams coming back for the win in double overtime, crazed fans pushing marathoners into the crowds. The biggest shock to hit the world after this year's games, however, just might have been the green blood, sweat and tears, pumping through the veins of Athens.