Day 53 - Day Passes

Hey Everyone!

The Olympic Green has been off limits to only workers and spectators that have tickets for events that day.  Someone told me corporation pavilions and the Super Store said they weren't getting a lot of the actual Olympic spectators.  Within the past week, more and more people have been getting the opportunity to get on the Green using day passes.  It's been great to see so many people on the Green - it's really alive!  However, the crowds are sometimes difficult to manage.  For pin trading, it's great because there is "fresh meat" to trade pins with.  (We've become obsessed with the pins).

Friday we worked the upper press tribune.  There isn't as much traffic for the handball competitions, so much of our time is spent just watching the Games which is totally fine with me.  We got to see the men's semi finals.  It's pretty laid back compared to gymnastics.  I just feel lucky that I can watch some Olympic competitions.  The rest of the work schedule fills up the rest of the week.  We even work on the 24th, the last day of the Olympics!

Ted

Day 52 - Hello Handball

Hey Everyone!

Wow - the first day of handball was weird.  NIS is completely different... but not really.  Workers transformed the venue last night into a handball stage.  The broadcast mixed zone is completely gone and seats are now in its place.  The floor is a handball court and the press mixed zone is completely reorganized.  There was also a lot fewer people.  It's like gymnastics was a dream.  Things were completely changed and reorganized to the point of seeming like we weren't in the same building.  It was a rainy morning and it took a little longer to get to work.  We arrived at 9:ooAM and ended up sitting around for awhile.  The BOB (Beijing Olympic Broadcasting) group was practicing with the new camera setup.  Julie and I went down to the FOP (Field of Play) and asked the camera guy to get us on the jumbotron!  It was so cool!  Our job for the next few days will be to direct journalists to the press tribune to watch the handball matches.  We got to watch one match and then ended up leaving because they were overstaffed.  We walked around the Green and toured the Coca Cola pavilion.  The entire building was focused on how green the company was trying to be.  It was a neat display of ingenuity and creativity.  They also had a line to get your picture with the Olympic torch.  At night, a bunch of us went to Club Bud - the Budweiser pavilion - to party.  It was amazing to rub shoulders with athletes and hang out with other ONS people.

Ted

U.S. beats Brazil

I just had the most amazing night! I witnessed the U.S. win the Women’s Gold Medal Soccer Match, and I had front row seats! Carli Lloyd scored in the sixth minute of over time to give the United States a 1-0 victory over Brazil and the gold medal. After the game, I went to the USA House with all the athletes, and I also met Vince Vaughn! The USA House is set up mainly for U.S. athletes in Beijing during the Games. It helps promote the U.S. and its athletes. The USA House is located in a converted three-story restaurant with restaurant facilities that include menus inspired by a variety of great Chicago chefs. Enjoy the pictures…

Day 51 - Farewell Gymnastics

Hey Everyone!

Today was our last official day as gymnastic volunteers.  The atmosphere was kind of like those end-of-the-year grade school parties where people are in good moods.  We showed up around noon and prepared to go to the press tribune.  The Gymnastics Gala was the only event scheduled today.  The stadium was transformed into a showcase stage with black lights and Chinese architecture.  The show was spectacular and included Beijing Olympic medalists and Chinese acrobats.  It was basically a "review" of the past two weeks.  After the show, we headed down to the floor and got pictures standing with the apparatuses!  It was SO cool to be on the floor.  However, it was bittersweet because workers were already taking down the stage in preparation for the handball events that would take place soon.  As we gathered our stuff in the ONS office, you couldn't help but get sad.  The bare room had been our home for the past month.  It didn't seem like it had been that long, but like Sally said, once the Games start things go really fast.  In true ONS tradition, the managers and sports information specialists clapped as we left the office.  It was an emotional day, but not the end.  Tomorrow is a brand new day starting early at 9AM: same venue but different sport and job.  I'll be working in the press tribune directing journalists.  It's going to be weird, though.  I'll be wanting to walk over to the ONS office, but a new group is taking over the flash quote reporting.  I'm looking forward to a new day and new job!

Ted

Day 50 - ONS wraps up

Hey Everyone!

Last night was our last official day of work for ONS!  We covered parallel bars, horizontal bar, balance beam and men's trampoline.  The competitions were amazing and it was great to see Jonathan Horton medal in the high bar.  Trampoline was the last apparatus.  I didn't even know it was a sport until now, but it's actually quite challenging.  It was sad as everyone was completing their final flash quotes.  I can't believe it's been so long since we've started working.  It feels like things have flown by.  I remember going stir crazy because we couldn't do enough work.  Now, it's almost over, but the experiences we've had will stay with me forever!

Ted

Shawn gets GOLD!!!

Shawn Johnson finally got her Olympic gold medal in the last event, the balance beam.

Shawn earned a 16.225 on her routine, which was full of difficult tricks. According to several newspaper articles, her grin was “wider than the 4-inch-wide beam she had just conquered.”

This week has just been full of excitement for me! The Mizzou students had the chance earlier this week to go to the Men’s 100m Final, which took place inside the Bird’s Nest. It was unbelievable witnessing Jamaica’s Usain Bolt win gold in the 100m, breaking the world record with his time of 9.69 seconds. No wonder his last name is Bolt!

The Olympic Green is full of people with Olympic Spirit! Check out the following pictures of this little boy who shaved his head like one of the Olympic mascots just for the Olympic Games…



During our stay in China, the media has become very fascinated with our volunteer work during the Olympic Games. Several Mizzou students have been interviewed. I was interviewed by the Shanghai Daily about my volunteer work with the Olympics and as Miss Missouri. Here is the article that was published…

(I wish I could translate this for you, but I can’t right now. I’ll have to ask one of the Chinese students.)

I honestly cannot believe I am going back to the states next week! This trip has gone by incredibly too fast, so I’m going to try and savor every last moment that I have left in China!

Sarah

Day 49 - I May Look Asian...

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So I've been meaning to talk about something that's been quite the talk with my friends.  I'm Asian...no that's not it - but rather I don't speak Chinese.  All of the Chinese people I talk to say they first thought I was Chinese when they saw me.  I guess I can understand that because of my appearance.  I tell them I was born in Korea but was adopted to parents in the U.S.  It's very common for me to be waiting at the subway or walking around on the Green and having someone walk up to me speaking Chinese.  I shake my hand and say "Sorry!  English!"  The light bulb goes on in their head because the look on their face is priceless: first it's shocked, then it's embarrassed.  They laugh and back away.  It's pretty funny.  In fact, it happened 30 times today - we counted.  Jokingly, I asked one of my Chinese friends to make a sign that reads "I do not speak Chinese".  I put two holes in the paper so it can hang from my lanyard, but I haven't worn it around yet.  It's been the center of funny conversation, but I wish I could speak the language fluently.  I feel stuck in the middle between being Caucasian and Asian.  I've grown up in the U.S. all my life, but as corny as it sounds, I feel a connection with the people here - maybe because they look like me.  I don't know, but it's been great being here.

Ted

Day 48 - Compare and Contrast

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Today we didn't have to go to NIS until 16:00 - it felt so weird walking to work as the sun was preparing to set.  Men's floor and pommel horse along with women's floor and vault were on the docket today.  It was a very confusing shift because we were separated into groups working the different apparatuses.  I worked men's pommel horse and stationed myself with NBC Sports.  I also got an interview with the BBC crew.  It was crazier than a circus in the broadcast mixed zone.  There is limited space and NBC is at the end of a small passageway.  To get to the NBC box, you have to finagle your way through light stands, tripods and people.  It's quite a tight squeeze!

I realized how much the Olympics is a contrast between the extremely happy and extremely disappointed.  One Chinese athlete that did not place in the floor exercise was interviewed on the in-house video system.  She fought back tears as she gave the interview, while behind her, the medal ceremony was taking place.  There, the happiest gymnasts stood beaming from ear to ear.  One woman competing in wrestling lost the match.  So distraught, she laid face down on the floor and wouldn't move even after the officials tried to drag her off the mat.  Finally, as she was walked off the floor, the winner raised her hands in victory in the foreground.  It's quite a contrast, but that's what the Olympics is all about.  Some win and others lose in the Olympic rapids of competition.

Ted

Day 48- An Olympic Dream Come True

Today I went two hours northeast of Beijing to the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park. The bus ride was long, but I met some fun Canadians along the way.

I'm born and raised in Montreal, but haven't managed to meet any "Montrealais" yet. All have been from Toronto and Calgary.

There were several events at the rowing park today, most included either Team USA or Team Canada. Both teams did very, very well! Each picked up at least two medals at today's rowing events.

The Canadian 8-man rowing team was favored to win Gold, so the Canadian section was excited to see the event. The American 8-woman rowing team was favored to win Gold as well. Canadians in particular had been excited for this event because we didn't have ANY medals before Saturday rolled around!

At the venue, I met some Canadians from Toronto. They were really nice and we all flew our Canadian flags when the teams rowed by us. We were in a larger group of fans from Great Britain. Unfortunately, there weren't any fans in our section from the USA, or many on our side of the stadium for that matter!

Team Canada's men scullers took off and had a great lead time. They were almost a full 3/4 boat length ahead of the American team. Great Britain was coming in a close second, but Canada stayed strong. All of the fans were cheering so loud. As the teams got closer to the finish line, the Americans got a second wind and hauled full-speed ahead. We all had our eyes glued to the scoreboard and television monitors. Canadians were in a similar position in Athens, but lost any medal hopes in the last seconds.

The race finished. In the distance, the Union Jack, the Stars and Stripes and the Maple Leaf were all being waved back and forth. We knew which teams were going to get medals, but who was first? Who pulled it off? Then silence. The time was flashed up on the scoreboard. "Team Canada: 5:23:89"...

...then a ROAR from the Canadian cheering section. GOLD FOR CANADA!!!

It was a surreal and unique moment for each of us. Although some were in their 60's and some as young 6 years old, none of us had ever witnessed our country win a Gold medal! It was so exciting... I can't imagine what it's like for the Rowers!!!

We decided to head towards the flag poles and medal podiums. We had to see the ceremonies up close! We waited for almost 30 minutes, but our time came.

In Women's 8-person rowing, the Americans won Gold! I sang the US anthem, but got confused with some verses. It was actually the first time I had tried singing it. (An it was at an Olympic Event!)

Earlier in the day, Great Britain won a Gold, so I also was able to sing "God Save the Queen." Some lady saw me sing all three and asked how many more anthems I knew... I laughed and told her those were the only three I knew. I lucked out!!!

After the American anthem, the stage was all for Canada! We were so excited for the moment we could all sing "Oh Canada!" The medals for the men's event were awarded and the flags were brought out. The music started and we all burst out in song! It will be one of the most memorable moments in my life. It was on my "bucket list." I always wanted to sing the Canadian National Anthem at an Olympic event. I got my chance. That is what the Olympics are all about! Making dreams come true.

I highly suggest you all try it sometime. WOW! Still excited about it!

USA is ranked 1st for medals. Total: 65; Gold: 19; Silver: 21; Bronze: 25. WAY TO GO TEAM USA!!!!

Canada is ranked 17th for medals. Total: 7; Gold: 2, Silver: 1; Bronze:4.

Mark

Day 47 - World Records

Hey Everyone!

Fellow bloggers back me up!

9.69 seconds - that's the new world record for the 100 meter dash. Jamaican Usain Bolt did exactly what his name promised... he bolted across the finish line in record time - and we were there! BOCOG gave us tickets to the athletics competition this evening - including what some say is the most watched event at the Olympics. The Bird's Nest was amazing. Like my friend Julie said: you can't truly experience the Olympics until you set foot inside National Stadium. It has not totally sunk in yet - what we saw. The evening started at 7PM and we got to see women's heptathlon and shot put finals. The main event was the 100 meter dash which was scheduled last in the evening around 10:30.

The stage was set with a special montage and entrance music. The athletes got into position and the crowd - screaming and talking throughout the night - dropped the volume to almost whispers. The anticipation was almost too much to handle. The gun exploded. With it, hundreds of photo flashes went off like a sparkling wave across the stadium. People cheered and the stadium was alive. One athlete pulled out from the pack. At 9.69 seconds, Bolt crossed the line - a new world record! Even before he crossed the line, he was already celebrating with his hands outstretched. It was over so fast that it took a second to see who had won. Bolt was overjoyed and made a victory lap - first embracing his friends and family and then addressing the crowd. With his shoes in hand and flag around his back, he embraced the new record as the world's fastest man.

Back in the stands, we all were going crazy. We had just witnessed history and couldn't believe we were present for a new world record. The atmosphere in the stadium was in full party mode. People were cheering and music blasted from the surround sound speakers throughout the stadium. Some people said that at these Olympics in Beijing no records would be broken. I'm wondering what they're thinking now.

Speaking of records: we watched Michael Phelps win his 7th gold this morning in the ONS office. We were all huddled around the television. The race was incredible! There was a moment of doubt at that photo finish, but when the scores came up and he had won by just a tenth of a second, the whole office went crazy!

Here in Beijing, it's Olympic mania. Almost everyone you meet has something Olympic. Every TV in every store and bar has the Olympics running. Even now, the TV in our room is tuned to CCTV 1 showing a handball match. It's Olympics 24/7 - something I've always wanted to experience.

Ted