Weekly Luncheon January 13, 2016
(REDONDO BEACH, California) January 13, 2006 -- If you saw her walking down the street you wouldn't know that Sue Johnson is an official with the Olympics. You'd be wrong, of course because Sue has been the Chief Recorder for synchronized swimming since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
That and a host of other world class events. She's officiated at five Pan American games, four world championships, five World Masters competitions, seven Olympics, and so many other world-class events she can't even remember them all.
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You ask why all this recitation of an impressive resume? Well, Sue Johnson was our luncheon speaker today!
What exactly, you ask, is synchronized swimming? Most folks know the name Michael Phelps because he won 22 medals in three Olympiads, 18 of them gold. Synchronized swimming? It's not as well known so let's turn to Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, which offers a pretty good description:
"Synchronized swimming is a hybrid form of swimming, dance and gymnastics, consisting of swimmers (either solos, duets, trios, combos, or teams) performing a synchronized routine of elaborate moves in the water, accompanied by music. Athletes can perform solos and compete in most other competitions.
"Synchronized swimming is a hybrid form of swimming, dance and gymnastics, consisting of swimmers (either solos, duets, trios, combos, or teams) performing a synchronized routine of elaborate moves in the water, accompanied by music. Athletes can perform solos and compete in most other competitions.
"Synchronized swimming demands advanced water skills, and requires great strength, endurance, flexibility, grace, artistry and precise timing, as well as exceptional breath control when upside down underwater. During lifts, (where up to six people
act as the platform, one person acts as a base, and one and/or two people act as flyers) swimmers are required not to touch the bottom - yet pull off an outstanding lift."
act as the platform, one person acts as a base, and one and/or two people act as flyers) swimmers are required not to touch the bottom - yet pull off an outstanding lift."Sue Johnson, a former math teacher in Cleveland, Ohio and now a neighbor of Karen and Jeff Weigel, gave us the insiders view of this little know sport from the perspective of an sports official. Lest anyone think this is an easy task Sue said, "When we announce the winners, it goes out to the world right or wrong -- within two to four minutes!"
Synchronized swimming is primarily a female sport. Only one male swimmer competed recently with a female athlete in an international duet competition, she explained.
When asked whether Olympic officials are under pressure by coaches and officials from nations worldwide to cut corners, she replied that bribes are not uncommon and have included money, gold, jewelry and more. "I can't tell you the number of bribes I've (been offered) regarding the two hour time limit," she said, referring to the "start list" which must be submitted prior to an event when a nation's competitors must be named. "We have to be totally ethical. I once had to say no to Igor, a Russian official who demanded a 
change to a reserve form."
change to a reserve form."Sue's next venue is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the 2016 summer Olympics. Oh, in her spare time, Sue Johnson also officiates PGA golf scoring!
In other business at today's luncheon it was pretty much status quo.
President-elect Alexis Sheehy promoted the upcoming Casino Night scheduled for March 19th.
Marna Smeltzer from the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce invited everyone to the Mayor's Reception on January 20th.
Gayle Albin Bailey announced the next club evening meeting will be February 10th.
Scott Young asked for volunteers to staff the club's booth at the upcoming 10K run. It will be held February 7th in conjunction with Super Bowl Sunday.
President Nasrin announced that February 6th is the due date for the Rotary Youth Exchange.
PDG Rick Mendoza announced the latest news from Rotary's effort to eliminate polio, and it wasn't good. "Fifteen individuals working on polio eradication in Pakistan have been murdered by the Taliban," he said. A suicide bomber detonated himself at a polio center in the Pakistani city of Quetta. Most of those killed were police gathered to escort polio vaccinators; 23 people were wounded.