Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Tuesday, September 5, 2000
Lambert close Mike Lambert said that watching the Olympic countdown on the sign outside the training center in Colorado Springs heightens his anticipation.
to living out his
Olympic dream
The former Punahou standout
feels the U.S. volleyball team
can win gold medalBy Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin
"You can feel it," said the former Punahou and Stanford star, noting how close he is to his second Olympics with the U.S. men's volleyball team.
Lambert was at the training center last week resting along with the rest of the U.S. squad finished third in the Americas Cup tournament in Sao Paulo, Brazil, after beating Argentina on Aug. 20.
Because Lambert and three teammates had suffered minor injuries, U.S. coach Doug Beal decided to withdraw the team from its final pre-Olympic tournament.
It was to be in France where top-ranked Italy and No. 2 Russia would have been among the competitors.
Lambert injured his quad in a Sao Paulo gym when it was 45 degrees during practice.
OLYMPIC PROFILE
Mike Lambert
The chilly temperature did not help.
"You could almost see your breath," he said. "It's their winter down there in the southern hemisphere."
But Lambert insists the quad is now better and the time off is helping his teammates recharge their batteries for Sydney and the opening match on Sept. 17 against Argentina at the Sydney Entertainment Center.
The last time the U.S. medaled in volleyball was 1992 (bronze) but the 6-foot-6, 205-pound Kaneohe product believes America's fifth-ranked team can end the drought.
"I know we can do it, but one thing I learned is that we have to scratch and fight for every point," said Lambert, whose team finished ninth in Atlanta four years ago.
He said he's also healthier now than he was in 1996 when he led the U.S. in kills with 91 but struggled with a shoulder injury.
Lambert concluded his collegiate career in 1997 by helping Stanford win its first NCAA title in men's volleyball. He topped it all off with by winning MVP honors in the NCAA tournament.
But nothing could be better than Olympic gold.
Lambert said he will have plenty of company in Sydney this month.
His parents, sisters Mia and Debbie as well as his girlfriend, U.S. Olympic 200-meter individual medley swimmer Gabriele Rose, will all be around to encourage him.
And he'll be at poolside on his off-days to encourage Rose, who swam the 100-meter freestyle, 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley for Brazil in 1996. She switched citizenship in 1997.
"We'll be able to walk into the stadium together," said Lambert who hints the two may become more than just friends in the near future.
It's been a longtime dream of Lambert's to help the U.S. win a medal in an Olympic setting.
"I was a really volley head back at Punahou," said Lambert. "I remember taping a game between the U.S. and Russia in 1990 and watching it over and over and over again more than 100 times. I watched the power and the strategy, and it just got into my system."
Now, the energy of anticipation is gripping his body and soul.