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August 16, 2004 4:03 pm

Conn. archer blown off course in medal quest

By ANN GREEN

Gannett News Service

ATHENS, Greece -- Winds strong enough to vex the gods blew through historic Panathinaiko Stadium on Monday, taking with them American archer Butch Johnson's hopes for a medal in the individual competition of the 2004 Olympics.

Johnson, seeded No. 16, was upset by 49th-seed Ron van der Hoff of The Netherlands in the round of 32 elimination event.

Johnson, 48, of Woodstock, Conn., is the oldest male archer in the Athens games and a four-time Olympian. He said the conditions were as rough as any he has faced. Windsocks and flags at the stadium frequently stood straight out.

``It caught me a couple of times really good, and that's all it took,'' Johnson said. ``Party's over. You try to time your shot, but sometimes it wasn't cooperating. It happens. I'd like to try it when it's calm with the same guy.''

In the round of 32, each archer shoots 18 arrows at a target 70 meters away. Johnson shot three 10s, but he also shot a one and a three, and they were enough to cost him in a 145-135 loss.

Since archery was reintroduced in the Olympic Games in 1972, the U.S. has won 13 medals, second to the Koreans' 21. Johnson won team gold in the 1996 Olympics and team bronze in 2000. He said he learned about the Athens wind in a test tournament here last fall, but it's nothing he could prepare for.

``Normally I shoot heavy winds, but it's somewhat steady. Here it bounces around a lot. It's very tough.''

The competition is being held at the site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. The stadium, with its white marble gleaming in the sun, offers excellent views of the nearby Acropolis, and the stadium was built at the site of an ancient stadium dating from 329 B.C.

``It's a beautiful setting, I'll give you that. But I'd rather be on a normal archery field,'' Johnson said.

Speaking of vexing the gods, Johnson has had bad luck in the Olympics before. In the Atlanta games, he was standing in a tent, getting ready for the third round, when a downpour drenched the range. A security guard pushed a stick against the top of a tent to relieve the water pressure but soaked Johnson in the process with about 30 gallons of water. He lost the match 162-160.

Asked about the bad luck that seems to follow him, Johnson said, ``I'll not say that. Stuff happens.''

He will now concentrate on preparations for the team competition. When he returns to the U.S., another target awaits Johnson, who works in an archery shop.

``I'll get ready for hunting season. Whitetail deer,'' he said, adding that the season opens Sept. 15.

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