Susan Broome and John Stillings
Recorded
November 2, 2019
39:11 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
ddb002545
Description
Susan Broome (60) and her friend and Olympic teammate, John Stillings (64) share stories of their journeys as Olympic rowers. They speak on how they first came to rowing, share stories of their experiences in the sport, including their experiences at the Olympic games, and reflect on the Olympic spirit.Subject Log / Time Code
How SB and JS are connected: they went to the same high school. They describe the sports they played in high school.
SB describes the turn in her athletic career toward rowing--she got scouted for the rowing team at her college, University of Washington.
JS and SB share their experiences at University of Washington: they remember a coach they had, Bob Ernst, and how JS started coxing. They also remember experiences with SB's twin sister, Christine.
One of SB's best memories of JS is at the 1984 Olympics where he carried his wife, Betsy (also an Olympian) on his shoulders during the opening ceremony. JS describes this moment.
JS and SB on work they did to support themselves during training seasons. JS's story pivots to how he met his wife, Betsy.
SB reflects on folks' support for her as an Olympian, even now, many years after she competed.
JS reflects on the challenges/responsibility of the coxswain in competitive rowing.
SB reflects on the experience of competition for rowers. She describes it as "muscle memory." She and JS also remember Sherry, a rowing partner of SB's.
JS reflects on what inspired him to be an Olympian, his journey through multiple sports until he got to rowing which brought him there.
JS and SB reflect on winning medals in Olympic competitions, and the larger Olympic spirit.
Participants
- Susan Broome
- John Stillings