I flew from Dartmouth to Copenhagen, Denmark as part of Team USA for the World Road Relays. I was slated to race a 5 kilometer leg for the U.S. but I had strained a calf muscle earlier in the week and had to withdraw at the last moment. Still got a free trip to Europe and a lot of USA gear!My recollection of Copenhagen is some pretty cobblestones, and a lot of well dressed business people walking around the city center. We took a boat ride on one of their canals, and also a short train trip to a castle north of Copenhagen.
Above is a picture of the Little Mermaid statue, apparently the most famous sight in the city. Above that is me and Wilson Kipketer. Wilson was the greatest 800 meter runner in the world in the 1990's, and the following year, would break Sebastian Coe's venerable world record. When I saw him I thought, "gee that guy looks just like Wilson Kipketer!" Then after I thought about it, I knew that Kipketer is a Danish citizen, and since there absolutely zero black people in Denmark, it seemed reasonable that it could indeed be him. When I asked him if I could get a picture with him, he gave me a puzzled look. Thinking I had got the wrong guy, I asked him if he was Wilson Kipketer, the World Champ at 800? He got a big smile then, and was pleased that I had recognized him. How odd that he wouldnt be recognized by everyone. I mean, How many World Champ athletes could Denmark have?
