Goldengirl

‘Let’s have the first question, then, from the Pravda representative.’

A solemn voice said, ‘Congratulations, Miss Serafin, from the people of the Soviet Union. Did you believe it possible before the Games that you could achieve the distinction of winning three gold medals?’

She nodded emphatically. ‘You have to be confident. In some ways I can’t believe it’s happened, it’s all been so quick for me, but I came to Moscow to win, yes, if that doesn’t sound too conceited. Oh, and thanks for the congratulations.’

‘Jane Thomas, Woman’s World,’ another loudspeaker announced. ‘How does it feel to be the greatest woman athlete in the world?’

‘That’s nice to hear,’ answered Goldine, ‘but it’s just a little sweeping. You ought to save that accolade for the girl who wins the pentathlon tomorrow. Running, hurdling, high jump, long jump, shot put: that’s the test of a great athlete. I can run fast — period. How does it feel? Like champagne, I guess. I don’t drink liquor at all, but I guess it feels like this.’

‘Tell us about your preparation, Goldine.’

‘Which was the most difficult medal to win?’ came a second voice over the first.

‘I’ll take the second question first. The four hundred was the tough one. They’re all sprints, and that’s the longest. As for preparation, I trained seven days a week, with plenty of practice starting, some work on technique — stride, knee lift, pickup and so on — but generally aiming at speed without strain. You’re going to ask me next how many hours a day, and the answer is that it varied. Some days it might be just an hour on the track, some as much as four. I feel my extensors tighten up, and I think, hmm, it’s time to shower.’

‘Doesn’t all this training mean sacrifices?’

She raised her eyebrows. ‘Sacrifices? Like not going out with guys? There are still some hours left in the day for that. You can’t do trackwork after dark, but other things aren’t impossible.’ She paused, waiting for the laughter to die in the loudspeakers. ‘Like reading books and listening to music.’

‘Do you have a current boyfriend, Goldine?’

‘Is that a proposition?’ More laughter. ‘I have all the dates I can cope with. There’s a point I’d like to emphasize. Track isn’t all sacrifice and sweat. It can be a social opportunity as well. I don’t know how things are coming along here, but in the States the men in track outnumber us by five to one, and that’s one area where I’m not pressing for equality.’

‘Jim Poindexter. Sports Illustrated. I believe you’re six foot two, Goldine. Would you say your height gives you an unfair advantage over other girls?’

‘If that’s a reference to the previous question, I admit I can spot a good-looking guy at fifty yards, yes. Seriously, it’s definitely an advantage in running to have a certain type of physique. Whether mine’s more efficient for the job, I couldn’t say. Remember I weigh a little more than other girls, so there’s more of me to move, so to speak. How am I doing? Am I talking too much? There seem to be plenty of you with questions.’

‘You’re doing fine,’ said Lee. ‘If I can structure the questioning a little, there are still a number of people with things to ask about your achievements in the stadium.’

‘Jerry Fisher, Track and Field News. I’d be interested to know who you regarded as your greatest rivals.’

‘The answer to that is that every girl was a potential rival. You see, I hadn’t raced against anyone except the U.S. girls before.’

‘Did you study the form of other girls, Miss Serafin?’

‘I don’t mind Goldine, if you like to be informal. Well, I knew the times other girls had clocked, but I didn’t consciously put names to them. In sprints, you don’t have to study other girls’ tactics. We all go like crazy for the tape.’

‘Is it correct to say that you remained aloof from the other girls on the training track?’ Dr. Lee’s finger had apparently moved to the right-hand end of the console.

‘I can understand how it could seem that way,’ answered Goldine evenly. ‘They know each other, you see, from frequent track meets in capitals across the world. I’m really very new to track. I hadn’t done anything till June this year, so the girls just didn’t know me. I didn’t freeze anyone off, but it’s not in my nature either to force a friendship on people.’

‘What goes through your mind as you run?’

‘How it feels, I guess. Whether I’m going smoothly. I sometimes offer up a prayer that I can still burn the last fifty yards.’

‘How did you feel as you stood on the victory rostrum?’

‘Proud. Pleased for the American people. It really gets you here when you see your country’s flag being raised.’

‘Why didn’t you run for America in the relay teams?’ That was a nasty follow-up.