Man Your Ships

I probably have mentioned this before, but most nights in Japan at 9:00 p.m. would find me camped out in front of the TV. That was when the NHK began broadcasting shows close captioned in English. Consequently thanks to NHK's coverage, I watched more of the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics than I have of any other games. Although the broadcast included more judo and softball than we are accustomed to seeing in the US, it was refreshing to see a running tally of medals from countries other than the US. One event that wasn't on my radar at the time was cycling. However, after reading Gold by Chris Cleave, I will be paying more attention during the Rio 2016 games. 

Kate and Zoe are London's top cyclists. Both in their early thirties, they are facing their last chance at an Olympic gold medal. Although they began as rivals under the same coach, they have slowly become friends over their years of strenuous training sessions and races.  Zoe needs this win to maintain her lucrative endorsements. Kate needs this win, period. She missed her previous two chances to compete to care for her sick daughter.

Describing training kits, electrolyte drinks, and grueling hours on the track, Cleave puts the reader in the midst of the action. We fly when they fly. Our legs burn as they burn every last ounce of energy straining for millisecond wins. Meanwhile off the track, Kate's daughter Sophie battles leukemia. She is also battling her parents' worries by putting on a brave face, plugging into her Star Wars daydreams, and hiding just how miserable she is really feeling.  Both story lines, although psychologically draining, are exhilarating and even touchingly humorous at times. The novel shows both the mortal side of Olympic athletes and the superhuman strength of a child facing death. 

Gold for the win.