Longtime Saratoga resident Chris Carver says that the living has been good. Few would disagree.

Carver, coach of the United States women's synchronized swimming team, has just returned from the Olympic games in Athens. Her team won two bronze medals at the games.

"Realistically we knew that the bronze medal would be an achievement. But an awful lot of work went into it," said Carver.

Carver, who was introduced to synchronized swimming as a 13-year-old, says that the sport calls for a lifetime of dedication. "A synchronized swimmer practices for 10 to 12 hours every day. And then she gets five minutes to prove herself during a competition," said Carver.

Carver, also the head coach of the Santa Clara Aquamaids, was the coach when the United States won a gold medal for synchronized swimming at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

"I believe that our team this year was as good as our team in Atlanta. The difference is the world. The sport has gained in popularity the world over," said Carver.

She said that the athletes in Eastern Europe start early and train away from home. "That kind of lifestyle doesn't fit culturally into the United States," she said.

But being in Athens was a thrilling experience. "When we were at the World Swimming Championships in Barcelona last year, we were booed because we were Americans. We did not have to face that in Athens," said Carver. "The Iraqi contingent was very friendly with us."

"It was almost like the ancient times when the olive branch would be extended and truce would be declared," said Carver. "Athletes do not have political axes to grind. It is exhilarating. I think most of them realize that they are at the pinnacle of their sport."

Carver, who played the violin when she was young, says that an event like synchronized swimming helps achieve the visualization of music. "For Athens, I chose a piece called the 'Sorcerer's Apprentice.' It is a classical music piece with a lot of visual appeal," said Carver.

For Nancy Hines, assistant coach of the team, it was a lifetime's experience. "You learn from Chris every day—she is a true genius in our sport," said Hines. "She evaluates her performance constantly. She is not a formula coach."

Hines said Carver also loves to help out younger swimmers. "And her advice is not only about swimming," said Hines. She said that Carver tells her swimmers that a medal lasts only a short time but the person you become lasts a lifetime.

Carver has been the coach of the national team for the last two decades. She is also in the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Now Carver is back coaching the Aquamaids in Santa Clara. She said that she would be concentrating on the younger people and helping them with synchronized swimming.

But the Athens Olympics might have been her last. Carver has been traveling the world for the last 20 years. "I hope it is winding down. I have been to three Summer Olympics. That's enough, I think," she said.