THOUSANDS COME TOGETHER FOR AYF OLYMPICS IN PROVIDENCE
by Vincent Lima

-thousands-come-together-for-ayf-olympics-in-provi dence
Friday September 11, 2009

Athletics, dancing, and socializing to rekindle the spirit

Providence – Again and again over the long Labor Day weekend in
Providence, dance floors came alive with the rhythm and energy of
traditional Armenian music, as thousands of Armenian-Americans from
every community in the eastern United States and beyond gathered for
the Armenian Youth Federation’s 76th Olympic Games.

Competing in track and field, swimming, tennis, and golf, the AYF
Providence Varantian Chapter, with 252.5 points, edged out the
Philadelphia Sebouh Chapter, which accumulated 232 points and ended
its three-year winning streak. This was the 38th victory for the
Providence athletes in 76 years.

Besides Philadelphia, no other chapter even came close to Providence
in score. Third place went to the Greater Boston Nejdeh Chapter,
with 46.5 points.

Records broken

"I’m hoping that next year, Boston, Detroit, and New Jersey can come up
with teams that make it even more competitive," Providence coach Steve
Elmasian told the Armenian Reporter. "A lot of people are saying this
is Olympics the way it used to be: large crowds, great competition,
good athletes, good spirit, and an exciting finish."

Indeed, up to 800 people were in the stands, cheering the athletes
on during the games.

"We did catch some breaks," Mr. Elmasian allowed. "Some things went our
way, some things didn’t, but I think more things did than didn’t. Like
[Lefty Gomez] used to say, ‘I’d rather be lucky than good.’ I think
we were a little bit of both."

Athletes broke at least four AYF Olympics records this year. Lynne
Tutunjian of Providence broke the women’s 50-yard breaststroke
record, and took gold in the 25-yard freestyle and 25-yard butterfly
contests. Her brother Stephen Tutunjian of Providence broke the men’s
triple jump record. Andrea Tateosian of Providence threw her javelin
112 feet 1.5 inches, breaking the women’s record in that sport by 1.5
inches. From Granite City, Ill., Michelle Hagopian broke the women’s
discus record and won gold in golf and baseball throw.

High scorers

Some of the most impressive individual performances came from
Philadelphia athletes. Mark Williams brought in gold for the 100 meter,
200 meter, and 400 meter sprint, while Michael Kaiserian did the same
for the 50-yard backstroke, the 50-yard freestyle, and the 100-yard
freestyle swimming contests. Jessica Sarkisian and Emanuel Mkrtchian,
both of Philadelphia, won gold in the pentathlon.

Mr. Elmasian appreciated the efforts of the three record-breakers from
Providence and another high scorer – his chapter’s Paul Chobanian
won gold medals in discus, javelin, and shot put – but he was not
willing to single them out for praise.

"We had a couple of high scorers, yes, but the girls grabbing 3rd and
4th in the weight events to us was key, because we really had this
coming down to a one- or two-point difference in the end. So every
kid coming out there – this is the 76th Olympics and this is the 38th
time we’ve won it, and we’ve always won it on the thirds and fourths,
so I can’t give you a name."

Music

Organizing committee member Fotini Dionisopoulos was "extremely pleased
with how the social events went." They were her responsibility. She
noted that clarinetist Hachig Kazarian first performed at the AYF
Olympics 50 years ago, and he was back this year, as popular as ever.

What pleased her most, however, was that a band composed of AYF
members likewise proved popular. They "filled a hall. We didn’t
need a superstar. The AYFers were thrilled and they danced until 3
a.m. and they wanted more. That was my biggest success of the weekend,"
Ms. Dionisopoulos said.

At the same time as the younger crowd was dancing to the traditional
music played by their peers, a dance for AYF alumni drew some 950
participants. "The dance floors were packed with well-behaved, happy
people. What more could you ask for?" Ms. Dionisopoulos smiled.

Waterfire

But the Armenian music was not limited to the dance floors. Every other
week or so throughout the summer and early fall, the city of Providence
gathers downtown for Waterfire. While dozens of bonfires burn in
the city’s rivers, casting golden shadows, families mill about town
listening to music broadcast over an extensive system of loudspeakers.

On the evening of September 5, thanks to the efforts of Manoog
Kaprielian, every third or fourth song was an Armenian one. Between
15 and 20 thousand people, most with no connection to the Armenian
community, enjoyed the evening.

Meanwhile, at the auditorium of the Rhode Island School of Design,
a mostly non-Armenian audience listened to soprano Noune Karapetian
perform Armenian classics.

The unsung hero

Mark Mesrobian, who chaired the organizing committee, had low
expectations for the weekend, "because of the dour economy." In
addition, the Providence Armenian community had hosted the Homenetmen
Games over the Fourth of July weekend.

"We have exceeded expectations in the number of participants, in the
number of attendees, in the social events, which were all very well
attended," he said. "Instead of a mediocre event, it’s turned into
a true success."

Also successful was the ad book, a collection of paid congratulatory
messages that helps support the organization. Pauline Getzoyan was
in charge of the ad book, which brought in $4,000 more than expected,
she said.

"It was successful because of the whole committee," she said. "My
committee worked really hard to involve people." Carol Mesrobian and
Maro Dionisopoulos called people individually. "Auntie Carol hurt
her leg a few weeks ago, so she was stuck at home and spent her time
making calls," she added.

Steering Committee member Steve Mesrobian said, "I think the real
unsung hero is the Providence community. It pulled off two major
Olympic games in nine weeks and had the energy to do it. We had
volunteers with a smile on their face working hard."

The image of Armenians

Scott Avedisian, who has been the mayor of Warwick, Rhode Island’s
second-largest city, for 10 years, spoke at the opening ceremony. So
did Allan Fung, mayor of Cranston, R.I.

These officials "recognize the strength of the Armenian community, they
recognize us as a large constituency. And they’re very supportive of
us because of that," Mark Mesrobian said. Both mayors "remarked how
amazing it was to see the youth not only participating but helping
out in the field."

The AYF Olympics have been held in Providence 11 times. The last
time was in 2003. That year both the governor of the state and the
mayor of Providence spoke at the opening ceremony. This year, both
officials happened to be out of the country over the weekend.

Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, vicar general of the Eastern Prelacy,
gave a blessing at the opening ceremony.

The Rev. Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian, pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church,
said he was "sad because my spiritual brother – Der Torkom Hagopian
– passed away [on September 3]." But "this atmosphere, filled with
brotherly love," lifted his spirits.

He said, "They did everything the right way, with no tolerance to
anything that would bring down our image as Armenians. I prayed for the
safety of everyone and that gave us the bonus of good weather also."