One who's been there before as a rower on the 1980 team is Charles Alterkruse '80. Now at Princeton attempting to earn a spot in one of the two man boats, he evaluates his chances as "pretty good."

Labelling the 1980 U.S. boycott of the Games as "no cause for celebration," he says the U.S. rowing team this year is "alot stranger."

"It's a sort of pity" that the Soviet Union and several of her allies will boycott the Games, he says, noting that the Russians and the East Germans have fielded the world's strongest crew teams in recent years.

But, the international community "always expects a surprise from the Americans and every once in a while we really get out act to gether," he adds.

Other Sports

A number of Harvard athletes in other sports are still in the final rounds of competition for the team.

Wreatler Paul Wideman '83 won the pre-Olympic trials meet in the 165 pound weight class and is now the top seed in the final rounds. Jeff Clark '88, who will enter Harvard in next year's Freshman class, is in the finals in Greco-Roman wrestling.

In swimming, Dan Watson '86 is close to making the team as a diver and Peter Egan '86, a buttefly specialist, is also expected to make the team.

Several athletes also will compete in the games under the flags of other countries.

Jim Relle and Jamie Hanson will row for Team Canada. Mike Miao '84 will swim for Taiwan, Julian Bott '84 will swim for Great Britain, and Tim Ford for Australia.

Harry Parker, Harvard's varsity crew coach has been selected to coach part of the men's U.S. Olympic crew team.