Officials Apologize Over Anthem Failure

Reuters ^ | July 21, 2003

[Cultural Jihad]

Officials Apologize Over Anthem Failure

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Embarrassed world swimming championship officials apologized to the U.S. team Sunday after their national anthem failed to play during the medal ceremony for the victorious women's 4x100 freestyle relay team.

Natalie Coughlin, Lindsay Benko, Rhiannon Jeffrey and Jenny Thompson stood facing the Stars and Stripes after receiving their gold medals waiting in vain for the anthem to play.

The large crowd at the Palau Sant Jordi pool also waited patiently, then began hand clapping and finally whistling as officials struggled off-stage to fix the problem.

After about five minutes, the large U.S team in the crowd began singing "The Star Spangled Banner," joined by the relay quartet.

A spokesman for the organizing committee said they had written to the U.S. team and apologized for the breakdown.

Photo caption: U.S.A.'s Rhiannon Jeffrey, Jenny Thompson, Natalie Coughlin and Lindsay Benko (L-R) pose with their gold medals after winning the 4x100 meter freestyle final at the 10th World Swimming Championships in Barcelona July 20, 2003. Germany won the silver and Australia won the bronze.

[krb]

After about five minutes, the large U.S team in the crowd began singing "The Star Spangled Banner," joined by the relay quartet.

wouldn't have taken me that long to start croonin' :-)

[Shugee]

Aww, they were just giving the stressed tech guys a chance to troubleshoot the problem.

What a great pic of the beautiful, victorious team!
Girl Power!

[krb]

Indeed...what a bunch of patriotic and talented beauties!

[Chewbacca]

THey could have bowed their heads and said a prayer while waiting for the anthem even if it never played.