The 100 Fly

This was the race that tied me with Mark Spitz with seven gold medals, the 100 fly.  Another butterfly stroke race.  I was ready to get the win.  During my prelim, I noticed that Milorad Cavic of Serbia was looking really strong in this race.  He finished with an Olympic record, 50.76.  I came in a close second with a time of 50.87.  We both knew, along with just about everyone else, that we were in store for a darn good race for this gold medal.  I had won this race in Athens by four hundredths of a second.  It has always been a close race.  At Montreal in 2005, I was completely murdered in this race by over a second.  It was at that point that I realized I could easily be beaten at any time and to never overlook someone or a race just because I am good at it.  I was ready to go.  Beep!  When I turned, I was in seventh place overall out of eight.  Not exactly what was desired.  Cavic turned first.  Halfway through the back stretch I caught back up to the leaders.  I always have a really strong kick at the end.  With about 15 meters to go, Cavic could sense me creeping in behind him.  We were neck and neck.  We both hurtled toward the wall, but there was only one difference.  Cavic decided to glide in.  I chopped in one more stroke.  I looked up at the board and next to my name had the number.....1.  I did it!  I beat Cavic by one hundredth of a second.  The absolute smallest margin there has ever been or will ever be!  I tied Spitz. Seven gold medals out of seven finals.  One more for greatness.