A Look Back on the Road to Paris…2004 Athens Paralympic Games
Following three straight Paralympic Games without a podium appearance and coming off an 11th-place finish in the 12-team tournament at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics, the USA Goalball men’s team came into the Athens 2004 Games set to reverse its fortunes.
John Mulhern was the only returning team member from the Sydney Games. He was joined on the squad by first-time Paralympians Chris Dodds, Daniel Gallant, Tyler Merren and Donte Mickens, as well as Eddie Munro who had competed in two previous Paralympic Games as a track and field athlete but was making his Paralympic debut in goalball.
For the first timers such as Merren, the fanfare of the Athens opening ceremony with the fireworks, performers, lights, thumping music and cheering spectators left a lasting impression.
“Something I remember clearly was the wave of fireworks that ran around the upper edge of the stadium and eventually centered on the Paralympic torch,” recalled Merren. “It spouted fireworks several times and then exploded into the Paralympic flame. Seeing that was something I’ll never forget.”
The Athens Athlete Village also was an eye-opener for Merren and his teammates.
“At that time, McDonald’s was a sponsor of the Games, so we had free McDonald’s all throughout our stay,” Merren said. “And though I didn’t get many burgers or fries, I had a lot of yogurt parfaits, to the point where I thought it a crime that I had to pay for them when I returned to the States.”
Twelve nations participated in the men’s goalball tournament in Athens, and the U.S. went 2-1-2 in Group A in the preliminary round. The American squad posted a 7-2 win over Germany and an 11-1 victory over host Greece, while losing a 10-7 match to Denmark and a 12-8 contest at the hands of Canada, and also playing to a 1-1 draw with Sweden.
“That team had a starting lineup, but it was really a six-man team,” said Merren of the United States’ balanced attack.
In the quarterfinals, the U.S. team faced undefeated Spain who went 4-0-1 to top the Group B standings.
“Chris Dodds played center in our crucial cross-over match against Spain,” Merren recalled. “Donte Mickens scored on two of three throws for us to take the lead at the end of the first half.”
The U.S. would shut out Spain in the second half on the way to a convincing 5-1 victory and a berth in the medal round.
In the semifinals, the U.S. would run into a buzzsaw, losing 8-1 to eventual gold medalist Denmark. That put the Americans in an all-or-nothing bronze-medal match with its neighbors to the north, Canada. The winner would go home with a medal while the loser would walk away empty-handed.
Adding to the U.S. team’s challenge were injuries to Mickens and Dodds heading into the contest.
“I remember Chris coming into the warm-up room, determined to play, but taking his first throw and then just sitting down on the sideline in pain and tears,” said Merren. “We had all worked so hard to be there, and he couldn’t continue. I consoled him and said, ‘Don’t worry man, we got you.’
Reeling from the depleted lineup, the U.S. fell behind 4-1 at the halftime break but rallied back on second-half goals from Merren, Munro and Gallant to tie the game with 17 seconds remaining. After Canada was called for a high ball penalty, Merren scored the go-ahead goal and it came down to the defense to secure the win.
“We won the game with a fantastic save right at the end by Dan on a ball that crossed my face and should have caught me, but my teammates were there the whole time,” Merren said. “When the buzzer sounded, I jumped about 20 feet into the air, hugged my teammates, and carried the flag around the court. My dad was in the stands at the time, and it was a moment I am so thankful for.”
Together with the women’s team’s silver-medal performance in Athens, the U.S. was the only nation with both its squads standing on the podium.
“We not only received the medal but a laurel wreath as well,” said Merren. “It was such a powerful moment taking pictures with the men’s and women’s teams after the finals. There are so many standout memories…the wins, the losses, the injuries, tears and laughs…it’s all so amazing to think back on.”
