The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games was the most televised event of the summer, which composed a chain of many memorable moments. Manuel Reynaert, a first-year transfer student perhaps can claim the most lasting Olympic memory of all students.
The Olympics served as a reality for Reynaert because he competed in the 4×100 meter relay for France in the preliminaries. Reynaert has the distinct honor of being an Olympian, even though his relay team did not advance to the finals.
“I can see everyone around me,” said Reynaert when he described his most vivid memory from the summer games in front of 91,000 people at Beijing National Stadium, commonly referred to as the Bird’s Nest.
“I perfectly picture the guy in front of me as he started running as I handed him the baton.”
One of Raynaerts favorite aspects of the sport includes traveling.
“I was from a poor neighborhood; this was a way to socialize,” Reynaert said. “I love traveling. I got out of where I was and it was a time to meet people.”
At the age of 18, Reynaert placed second in his first French Championship.
“I was surprised,” Reynaert said. “I wasn’t expecting to be second in the race. It felt so good.”
Reynaert knows what he has to do when his team begins their tack and field meets this winter. It will be his debut at any school level and looks forward to traveling with his teammates. Manuel chose to run for VCU after careful consideration.
“I Knew I needed to be comfortable at a school. The department helped me out with my language barrier. I enjoy the campus and all the aspects of the American life.
Reynaert knows that if something happens to him, he will not face challenges alone and has support to help him face whatever may come his way.
“If I struggle with something, I know it will be taken care of, which is not the case in France,” Reynaert said.
Reynaert is still eligible to run for the French national team along with VCU. Reynaert says that speaking French poses some challenges in maintaining a balanced athletic and academic lifestyle.
Reynaert says language is overwhelming.
“Because of the weight of language, track and field is a relief. On the track, everyone speaks the same language.”
Reynaert, a business major, knows that life is about sacrifices and knows what choices he has to make.
“I want to enjoy the system as much as I can, but I am here to train and get an education,” he said.
As an Olympian, Reynaert got to experience the Games on its full level by staying in the Athletes Village. Also, Reynaert witnessed France win a gold medal in swimming and was in the National Stadium when Jamaica’s Usain Bolt broke the world record in the 100-meter dash (Reynaert’s event), but admits he would like to have seen other events as well.
“When watching the sporting events in the village, we would just see the events. There was (no) commentary,” Reynaert said. “We didn’t get the impact that the rest of the world saw.”
Reynaert was able to leave the Olympic Village any time he wanted to.
“I was able to see China. I didn’t get to see the real China, but the Olympic China. What China built for the event was what we saw,” says Reynaert.
As the closing ceremonies passed, Reynaert remembers the large amounts of fanfare and the famous people involved. David Beckham made an appearance that evening as well. Looking toward the future, it is hard to tell if he will participate at the next Olympic Games in London. Track and field requires you to be 100 percent. Anything can happen in just six months.
“I didn’t come back a legend, but I still have to remind myself I was there.”