As the United States’ Misty May-Treanor and Kerry Walsh Jennings celebrated their 21-16, 21-16 victory in the Olympic gold medal match of women’s beach volleyball, their coach, Marcio Sicoli, stood and cheered while the sights and sounds of Horse Guards Parade engulfed him. Seconds later, May-Treanor ran over and gave him a hug. A golden hug at that.
“It was a great atmosphere. It was really exciting to see two players become part of an elite group that won three gold medals,” Sicoli said. “They started their career on top, and in Misty’s case, ended her career on top. To see what they accomplished was extraordinary.”
In the Olympic tradition, coaches don’t receive medals. Only the athletes do. But Sicoli, who serves as an assistant coach for the Pepperdine women’s volleyball team, says that’s as it should be.
“It’s not about the coaching but rather the values of the Olympics. To be together and to celebrate the sports,” said Sicoli. “I bring home the memories, the experiences and the excitement to put them there. That is the biggest accomplishment a coach can do. It’s not about me. It’s about representing your country in the Olympics.”
The world’s undisputed top women’s beach volleyball duo, May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings have left an indelible mark and lasting legacy upon their sport. Sicoli said it was humbling to have the opportunity to coach them as they ascended the mountaintop.
“It means a lot in terms that they gave me that chance,” said Sicoli. “I was really blessed to be a part of something special and extraordinary. I helped them, but they were at the helm of the boat. We were a strong, mental team.”
It was not Sicoli’s first brush with the Olympics. Sicoli, 32, first established a name for himself in the international world of beach volleyball by coaching his Brazilian team to the silver medal in 2004. Ironically, the loss came at the hands of then May and Walsh.
In 2007, he moved to the United States from his home of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he was born and raised. Sicoli rented out the basement in Walsh Jennings’ home.
Prior to last summer and the FIVA world championships, Walsh Jennings asked him to coach her and May-Treanor for the Olympics. He accepted, knowing that history lay ahead. When the pair weren’t competing abroad in Europe, Sicoli coached the duo in training in Manhattan Beach.
The coach and his two stars arrived in London, England, on July 23. On a whiteboard, Sicoli planned a routine that involved 13 practices mixed in and around seven matches including double-days on July 24 and 25. He marched in the Opening Ceremony side by side with May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings.
“I told them that if you are trying to accomplish something extraordinary, you have to have an extraordinary ride,” Sicoli said. “You cannot find shortcuts to make it easier. They got it.”
Practices were held in the morning 12 hours prior to the match. May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings played all their matches at 11 p.m. London time in order to accommodate NBC television. They were the only team to practice on the same day of the match.
Another interesting fact was that May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings never watched video of their opponents. Sicoli broke down the film of the other teams and gave the scouting report to the women.
“I felt we had a great plan but a lot of traps. I had to keep them on track,” Sicoli explained. “Their performance in practice, in treatment, in preparation on a daily basis was way more important than the competition. Their character was everything.”
After dominating the Olympics for a third time and finishing with a remarkable 21-0 match record and 42-1 in sets, the dynamic duo of May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings stood on the medal stand one last time listening to the U.S. national anthem being played in their honor.
“They are best friends forever. They really respect each other,” said Sicoli, who hopes to coach Walsh Jennings and her new partner in his native Brazil for the XXXI Olympiad. “The value and character that each of them has for themselves and each other are what made them accomplish what they did.”
“Misty and I have something really special,” Walsh Jennings said after the final match. “I am so honored to have played the last 12 years with Misty. I’m just so proud.”
“Kerri and I want to go down as the best team in history,” May-Treanor added. “We believed in our capabilities and believed in our goals. Three-time gold medalists. That’s why we are standing here.”
Standing alongside them was Sicoli, who mentally and physically prepared them for their last journey together. He pushed, he prodded, he motivated and he encouraged them day in and day out.
Paul Sunderland, announcer for NBC sports, summarized it best when he concluded the telecast with the words, “Misty and Kerri, the two icons of the sport, they end their journey together as the greatest team of all-time.”
As their proud coach, Sicoli seconded that without hesitation.
“I consider them the greatest of all-time. They won three in a row and accomplished that in three different generations.”