InternationalThousands come together for AYF Olympics in Providence
Providence rules
Athletics, dancing, and socializing to rekindle the spirit
by Vincent Lima
Published: Friday September 11, 2009
Greater Boston's Araxi Krafian makes her AYF Olympics debut, coming in second to Angela Soorikian of Philadelphia in the 50-meter dash. Her chapter won the Most Improved Chapter award. Tom Vartabedian
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.
