Firm Support

Holding her husband softly, Katerina whispered at his ears, "It's just not meant to be..."

Four years ago, Katy, then known with her former surname as Kurkova, grabbed a bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

She was also a commentator for the Czech Television then, who witnessed tragedy of the legendary marksman.

"I felt sorry for him," she said. "I just needed to tell him how I felt and .. it doesn't matter."

That was the first time the girl plucked up to talk to the world champion. Before that he seemed aloft to her.

They called the meeting magic and the Chinese people may say "a loss may turn out to be a gain"

Two years later, they got married.

In the following days, the shooters helped each other -- Matthew taught Katy with small bore and Katy helped him with air rifle.

"We work as a team, the more medals we win as a team, the better," said Matthew on Friday after winning a silver in 50-meter rifle prone at Beijing Olympics.

Although the man didn't add one more to their three-medal collection here, he was still the best in Katy's eyes.

"If he can get a 4.4 and still place fourth, he's great!" she said firmly, "It (the gold medal) was waiting for him. I'm sure it was waiting for him."

"What happened today I think will keep him going, keep him determined, and he will be more experienced," added the Czech markswoman, who won the women's 10m air rifle, the first gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, "this will keep him pointed in the right direction."

Matthew Emmons of the United States is comforted by his wife after the men's 50m rifle 3 positions final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Shooting event in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Matthew Emmons won the 4th with a total of 1270.3. [Jiao Weiping/Xinhua]

Maybe her encouragement soothed him.

When he came back to the final hall to take pictures, Matthew appeared calm.

"Things happen, I mean we're going home with three medals, I can't complain," he said.

Then he added emotionally, "With her by my side that's the most important thing, whether I win or lose, she will always be there and my family will always be there supporting me."

Katy said they were going to have a long holiday in the Czech Republic before preparing for the World Cup Final this November.

"We can have whatever we want now. The match is over."

Shoulder by shoulder, they walked away.

During the four years since Matthew's Athens nightmare, he harvested love.

Who knows in the next four years, what will be waiting for the young couple?

(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2008)