Circus ends as ceremoniously as it began

Michael Villani

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Michael Villani is a Costa Mesa resident who was an

announcer at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. This is his final

piece for the Pilot about his experiences there.

It’s over, that Cirque du Soleil-esque, dream-like experience they

called the 28th Olympiad. The closing ceremony, for me, was just as

spectacular as the opening in revealing the culture and past of this

ancient country.

As you probably know, in indoor volleyball the Brazilian men took

the gold from my country of heritage, Italy. The Americans lost in

three sets to the big, powerful Russians in the bronze-medal round.

As far as I’m concerned, they’re still Olympic champions nonetheless.

That incredible comeback match against the Greeks was worth the

entire price of admission.

I’m strapped in my seat on this Boeing 747 taxiing toward takeoff

for what’s going to be an 18 1/2 -hour trip home to our beautiful

Newport Harbor area. I’m experiencing what I would imagine postpartum

sadness, “the baby blues,” might feel like. It’s a bit of sadness and

emptiness mixed with extreme satisfaction and joy in not only a job

well done, after these 3 1/2 weeks, but also a contentment knowing

that what I’ve given “birth” to here is a future in other Olympic

contests where my talents can be used.

I really don’t want this monumental moment in my life to end, but

I am ready to come home. Come home to my Wednesday night Costa Mesa

city league softball games with my “boys.” Come home to my mornings

at Hanagan’s 76 on 17th Street, having my soda and listening to the

guys try to solve the world’s problems. Come home to the many friends

I’d like to thank for all their support and good wishes as I embarked

on this incredible journey. And I want to thank the staff of the

Daily Pilot for giving me a vehicle to tell my stories, especially to

advertising rep Ned Bondie, who initially said, “Hey Mikey, why not

send us back some articles?”

In my opinion, the 28th Olympiad was a huge success, probably not

financially but certainly emotionally and spiritually. As my friend

Ken Kemp said, “We were privileged to see artistry in the human

form.”

This artistry, in friendly competition, transcended the boundaries

of hate, corruption and greed. It transcended terrorism and

atrocities. It was a glorious 17 days of unity, camaraderie and love

as the world watched and I was privileged to report back to you “From

the Games.”