Kerry Calls
by Melissa Fletcher
Aug. 15, ATHENS, Greece – Senator John Kerry, the Democratic candidate for president of the United States, ( www.johnkerry.com) took time out from campaigning last weekend to wish the US whitewater slalom team success. Bill Endicott, team leader for the USA Canoe/Kayak whitewater slalom team, received the call Saturday night.
Endicott, a former member of the U.S. Marine Corp, works with the Veterans for Kerry campaign. To show his support for Endicott's current endeavor of leading the whitewater slalom team in Athens, Kerry wished the canoe/kayak team, along with the rest of Team USA, good luck at the Olympic Games.
Kerry asked about the new whitewater slalom venue, which pumps in salt water from the Mediterranean Sea to provide the class 3-4 rapids for Olympic competition.
"I told him that it is ironic that the smallest country to host the Olympics in 50 years built the best whitewater slalom course in history," Endicott said.
Endicott was excited that Kerry spent some time in the middle of his busy schedule to think about the U.S. athletes at the 2004 Olympic Games.
"I was amazed that he took the time to call me, ask questions about our competition and wish us good luck," Endicott said.
The USA Canoe/Kayak whitewater slalom team kicks off competition on Tuesday, August 17 at the Helliniko Sports Complex. Flatwater sprint racing begins at the Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Center in Schinias on Monday, August 23.
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