One Last U.S. Victory Lap

By Tom Callahan

While the finances were calculated, the athletes were celebrated

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. --Samuel Johnson Maybe the entire country is awash with scoundrels.

If not, some delirious need to wave American flags has surfaced, fanning a passion previously associated with burning them. The sentimental tears and cheers of the pre-Olympic torch run turned into unembarrassed howls and shrieks last week for U.S. medalists taking a transcontinental victory lap from Los Angeles to Washington to New York to Disney World to Dallas. "I thought they'd be bored with us by now," said Steve Lundquist, the swimmer. "This is fantastic."

On the morning after the closing ceremonies, which were more spectacular and less charming than usual, the athletes gathered for breakfast with President Reagan before filling three United Air Lines charters. "This is something that happens to Michael Jackson," said another swimmer, Rowdy Gaines, "not to a bunch of jocks." Reagan told them, "You did us proud. Thanks for the memories, for the great moments, for being what you are, genuine heroes."Unable to resist mentioning his own ongoing race, he lost the audience momentarily. Since the 1980 boycott, athletes have become sensitive on one subject. "I just don't like the Olympics to be a ploy for political things of any kind," said Pam McGee of the gold-medal women's basketball team, who brought along her twin sister Paula.

By the terms of the Southland (7-Eleven) Corp.'s $1.2 million gift, every medal-winning Olympian was allowed to invite one guest on the caravan, and their choices were telling. Jeff Blatnick, the nation's most renowned Greco-Roman wrestler, asked Andrew Saris, the last man cut from the squad. Mary Lou Retton, whose gymnastics career required her to leave home two years ago, reached back to Follansbee, W. Va., for her old friend Lori Lombardi. Cyclist Steve Hegg's neighbor Doug Huffman used to pace him tirelessly in Dana Point, Calif. They went together to the parade.

Not every medal winner came along. Indicating why he is the world's most splendid diver, Greg Louganis turned to practicing for the nationals. Several of the basketball players had appointments with agents, though Reserve Center Jon Koncak took the occasion of the tour and blessed freedom from Coach Bobby Knight to complete a honeymoon on hold since June. Romance was flourishing. Synchronized Swimmer Tracie Ruiz was surprised with a diamond engagement ring by the boyfriend she brought along. And

Gymnast Mitch Gaylord was wakened regularly by phone-calling female admirers. Many of the track stars hustled to European meets to cash in on the medals, although quadruple Gold Medalist Carl Lewis pushed back his own schedule after he stopped off in Houston and found his home had been tossed by burglars, his stereo and video equipment stolen, his well-publicized crystal collection shattered. It appeared that the welcoming signs of kindly neighbors had pointed out the mark.

Some 200 athletes did march like conquering legions before the public, which turned out 2 million strong for the traditional buzzard of ticker tape in New York City's "confetti canyon," the milelong hero's avenue to City Hall from the Battery where fireboats squirted red, white and blue sprays. "We really fought for America," said Pistol Shooter Ruby Fox, and Brooklyn Boxer Mark Breland added, "My town has really turned out the troops." These days, ticker tape is scarce in Lower Manhattan, though a bit of the stuff was donated by Wall Street and some was imported from Connecticut. Mostly, the propmen in the upper windows threw down computer paper by the reel, toilet tissue by the roll and strips of shredded evidence. Even the boxers were warned not to wear their medals; in its brightest mood, New York is still a chain-snatcher's town. When too many spectators perched on construction scaffolding, the stand collapsed horrifyingly and 100 people were injured. Breland toured the hospitals later.

Next, Disney World was a happy and uneventful stop. Then the Dallas barbecue was a hazard only to gymnasts: for them, just to whiff Texas barbecue is to risk going to bed as Nadia Comaneci and waking up as Shelley Winters. Finally, a little regretfully, the team disbanded. "Celebrity's been a big change for me," Retton said. "In a way it's really neat. But it won't change me. I'm still just plain Mary Lou. Meeting the President was neat. I'm a little sad it's over after nine years. Now I'd like to get into TV work. Fame helps there. I've had quite a few offers." In keeping with her station, her new transportation is a red Corvette: "I can reach the pedals if I sit on a pillow."

Back in Hollywood, where the scenery was being struck, the letdown was palpable. "I feel tike I have lost a friend," said David Provence, who in order to see the Games had taken off two weeks from his job as an industrial water-sprinkler installer. "I wouldn't mind going to Seoul in four years." In the manner of a beloved old ballpark being stripped for demolition, disposable slabs of vermilion and magenta will soon go on sale in a gigantic flea market. The saddest figure in Los Angeles was the honored policeman who wanted to be a hero or at least to be noticed by his superiors. Officer James W. Pearson, 40, was at first credited with disarming a bomb he found in a wheel well of the Turkish team's bus, but later was charged with planting it.

A financial accounting is expected next month, but departing Olympic Organizing Committee President Peter Ueberroth anticipates a profit exceeding the forecasted $15 million, to be disbursed among the U.S. Olympic Committee, the National Sports Foundation and various youth groups. Ticket sales of 5,797,823 broke the Moscow record (5,466,321) and left Montreal in the dust (3,195,170). Considering high ratings--90% of all American households had the Games on at some time--ABC seems unlikely to press for a boycott rebate. Anchorman Peter Jennings and the whole fall schedule have been shirt-tailing to glory.

Mayor Tom Bradley, as unobtrusive as a politician can be, said quietly, "The Games are over; let the traffic begin."

And, before long, the freeways were clogged again. Doomsaying undoubtedly cleared the roads at the outset of the Games, but Bradley is convinced that municipal pride helped keep them passable.

"I have never been prouder," he said. "We are all still floating. That feeling will fade but the memory of the Games will always come alive again." Regarding a permanent site for the Olympics, some proponents of that old idea are smiling and saying that they may have a new alternative to Greece. International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch did not get into that, but he did observe that baseball is the Olympic sport he would be in favor of adding next. Ueberroth seemed to agree. --By Tom Callahan.

Reported by Lee Griggs with the U.S. Olympic Team and Joseph J. Kane/Los Angeles

With reporting by Lee Griggs, Joseph J. Kane