Matthew Brittain beamed at the sight of South African journalists getting to share the unbridled joy of winning the country’s first rowing gold medal as a member of the ‘oarsome foursome’.
Chad le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh’s gold medals were different.
Those were their medals but somehow Brittain made us believe their gold belonged to us, too.
The quartet’s victory was by far my best moment covering my maiden Olympic Games, in London four years ago, and admittedly it was my first encounter with the sport.
Brittain, James Thompson, Sizwe Ndlovu and John Smith stunned the world and piqued my interest in the sport.
Since then I made a point of getting to understand the sport and do my best to tell their story, joining national rowing coach Roger Barrow on the Roodeplaat Dam where the team train most of the time.
Although the rowers had every reason to plead poverty, Barrow would not allow his rowers to use lack of funds as an excuse for failure.
Training camps in Lesotho weeks on end highlighted their dedication to their dream.
Weeks away from family and friends undoubtedly took its toll on personal relationships but it would all have been worth the pain with a medal around the neck.
Like the rowers, I have been consumed by the Olympics over the last four years to a level where it could be considered an obsession.
Not even three exhaustive weeks covering almost every inch of the Olympic precinct in London would extinguish my passion for the greatest spectacle on earth.
When the three weeks of madness came to a sudden halt, I vowed to be in Rio come 2016.
Covering the Olympics is a rush unlike anything else, and once you get your first taste it becomes an addiction.
As is the case with the rowers, the swimmers and the track and field athletes, the Olympics is my pinnacle.
Nothing can prepare you for the mad chase that ensues from the opening right until the closing ceremony.
It is simply unadulterated fun watching the best in their respective codes and events spar for a spot in the history books.
From the highs of experiencing the country’s first gold medal to the near misses, the Olympics is a microcosm of life in all its beautiful drama and intrigue.
South Africa look set for another memorable Olympics and if everything falls into place, we are in for a crazy ride.
Rio will bring its own highs and lows with a good dollop of South American flair.
Here’s to more Olympic madness, here’s to long days and equally long nights.
Let the Games begin!
Saturday Star