Elliot Schwartz and Byron Cortez: A Journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics
Elliot Schwartz, a prominent figure in the world of competitive figure skating judging, has realized a long-held dream by participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Schwartz, a 57-year-old resident of East Boothbay, Maine, first discovered figure skating during his time at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he humorously recognized himself as the “world’s worst adult skater.” Nevertheless, his aversion to mediocrity propelled him into the judging realm merely a year after his introduction to the sport.
Since beginning his official judging career in 1999, Schwartz has accumulated over a decade of experience evaluating skaters ranging from young beginners to elite competitors at the International Skating Union’s World Championships. His meticulous work involves providing technical assessments of skaters’ performances, which he conducts by analyzing video replays to ensure accurate scoring. Schwartz’s judging skills will exemplify further distinction as he prepares to judge the world championships in Boston later this year.
In addition to his role as a judge, Schwartz has held a position with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee specializing in performance innovation for the past four years. His responsibilities during the Paris Olympics included collaborating with U.S. teams in acrobatic sports, contributing to a historic achievement when the men’s gymnastics team secured a medal for the first time since 2008. A memorable moment for Schwartz occurred when gymnast Brody Malone adorned him with the team’s bronze medal post-ceremony, exemplifying the camaraderie within the team.
Accompanying Schwartz in Paris was his spouse, Byron Cortez, age 55, who volunteered at the Team USA House. Situated in the Palais Brongniart, a historical edifice formerly housing Paris’ stock exchange, the Team USA House served as a hub for athletes, coaches, and their supporters. During his shifts, Cortez performed essential support functions, ensuring the comfort and needs of attendees were met while refraining from interacting directly with athletes to maintain their focus.
Cortez’s experience there included memorable encounters, such as an interaction with legendary Olympic champion Carl Lewis, who graciously engaged with visitors, taking photos and sharing stories. Meanwhile, Schwartz dedicated each day to meetings aimed at enhancing athlete performance and logistical planning, showcasing his commitment to optimizing the U.S. team’s success.
Although not an avid sports follower, Cortez relished his inaugural Olympic experience, attending various events, including women’s weightlifting and volleyball matches that he described as “spectacular.” He was particularly impressed by the Women’s 59 kg weightlifting competition, where he witnessed Luo Shifang of China achieve gold and the emotional medal ceremony that followed, which he characterized as transformative.
Looking forward, both Schwartz and Cortez express eagerness to participate in future Olympic events, particularly the Milan Winter Games in 2026 and the Los Angeles Summer Games in 2028. Schwartz hopes to continue contributing in a similar capacity to his role in Paris, although he remains uncertain about the sustainability of his position. He returned home post-Olympics briefly before competing in a national qualifying event in New York for singles and pairs figure skating.
Schwartz is also keen to rewatch the Paris Olympics broadcasts, particularly to analyze commentator insights. Notably, he shares intriguing updates regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Games, particularly the anticipated return of baseball as a demonstration sport, replacing breakdancing. Schwartz critiques the limited exposure of competitive breaking during the Paris Games, despite its engaging nature.
In summary, Elliot Schwartz and Byron Cortez exemplify the passion and dedication integral to the Olympic spirit, not only through their extensive involvement in athletic events but also through their advocacy for the advancement of sportsmanship and performance at the Olympic level. Both eagerly anticipate future opportunities to contribute to the Olympic movement and witness the growth of emerging sports on the world stage.
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