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

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

Countdown to the Games...

Since my last blog post, I’ve been staying busy at BOCOG Training. It’s nice to see all the journalists finally arriving. The broadcast folks get here tomorrow, so that’s when my fun will begin.

Most of the athletes are here and have begun training in the National Indoor Stadium (NIS). As many of you know, Paul Hamm pulled out of the Olympics because his broken hand still isn’t healthy enough for him to compete.

As a result, Raj Bhavsar will take his place.

The group spends most the evenings in the Hou Hai (pronounced HO-hi) area, which is a manmade lake—the largest of three consecutive lakes lined with willow trees and surrounded by a maze of hutongs, shops, and cafes. The evening is a beautiful time to visit, since the courtyard stays lit through the evening.

Olympic tickets have also gone on sale here in China. Eric Durban, a Mizzou convergence major, decided to brave the massive “lines” for a chance at getting tickets. The Guardian, the New York Times of the UK, posted an article about their long wait in line. Unfortunately, after a full day of waiting they left with no tickets in hand. Here’s a picture of Eric, holding the sign, “Line Starts Here.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/gallery/2008/jul/24/olympics2008.china.beijing?picture=335958099


I trusted my dear friend, Sarah Orscheln, to buy us tickets on Beijing’s Craig’s list for the women’s gold medal football match. Sarah played soccer in college and stays up-to-date on any soccer news. She informed me that Abby Wambach recently broke her leg and will not be playing in the Olympic Games. Wambach is the U.S. Women’s leading scorer, and she broke her leg in a game in San Diego on July 16th.



I’m also including several photos that Sarah has taken during our trip. She is a convergence major at MU.

Sarah and I visited Wángfǔjǐng and the Night Market the other day. Wángfǔjǐng street, located in the Dongcheng District of Beijing, is one of China's most famous shopping streets. Much of the road is off-limits to cars and other motor vehicles, which is nice for pedestrians. You can find anything from dog brain soup to fried starfish! Sarah and I decided we’re going to come back with a group of kids, so we can try all the crazy foods together.

Sarah