Nastia Liukin takes GOLD!!!

The atmosphere inside the National Indoor Stadium has been so exciting this week. It’s hard for me to describe it in words! This week we covered the Women’s Team All-Around Finals. China was America’s main competition. After vault, the U.S. Team was ahead. Both the U.S. and China had solid bar routines. But when the teams began competing on beam and China’s best girl fell, I thought the U.S. possibly had a chance to win the gold. However, you could have heard a pen drop when Alicia Sacramento, the first U.S. gymnast to perform on beam, fell off while mounting the beam! I felt so bad for her! Then she fell again on the floor! My eyes started filling up with tears, and, of course, as a professional journalist, I had to hold it inside. It’s just so emotional feeling so bad for this young girl, but also feeling so proud of the U.S. while they where receiving their silver medals. I couldn’t believe, at that moment, I was actually at the Olympics and watching the presentation of the medals and the flags!

Being in the broadcast mixed zone with NBC was incredible as well! I was able to see an NBC reporter in action, asking the girls questions, which was their first interview after competition.

That night a group of Mizzou students decided to go to the Today Show, where I met Matt, Meredith, Ann, and Al! The U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team was on set that day, and I loved watching Meredith interview the girls.

Today was the Women’s Individual Competition. And as you’ve probably heard, Nastia Liukin won the gold, while Shawn Johnson came in a close second. There was so much talk about Shawn winning the gold, but Nastia nailed her unbelievably difficult bar and beam routines putting her in first place.

I was overwhelmed with excitement and overjoyed to watch the victory ceremony. While our national anthem was playing, I felt so touched. This is an unbelievable moment that I wish I could share with all of you. Nothing compares to actually witnessing this event. Again, I was holding back tears of joy; however, when I saw Meredith Vieira crying as well, I didn’t feel so bad. Working in the NIS is amazing, and I feel so fortunate and honored to have this unbelievable opportunity!

Sarah

Day 45 - Rain on the Beach

Hey Everyone!

Today was the men's final for all-around.  We got to work around 9AM for the 11AM start time and got our seats in the press tribune.  It was another great competition as we watched China's superstar, Yang Wei, perform.  The U.S. team did very well, too, but not enough to place.  By the time everything was done, it was raining out - pouring actually.  The media entrance by our ONS office was buzzing with international reporters putting on bright pink ponchos and waiting for their rides.  It was a privilege to meet Richard Engel, NBC's international reporter often seen in Iraq (and basically anywhere that is really dangerous).  We got some ponchos and headed out after we were done putting our quotes into the computer.  Three of us headed to the beach volleyball venue - remember that day we stood in line for 5 hours getting tickets?  Despite the rain, we felt it would be a waste if we didn't at least go.

There was hardly anyone in the stadium, but we held onto our ponchos and umbrellas and watched four matches.  We got to see the U.S. men play an incredible match!  It was the first time we were able to cheer because we weren't working.  It kind of felt weird doing it, too!  The rain let up eventually and we were able to just enjoy the evening.  It was actually cool and felt like an October evening.  Unfortunately, both times we've come to beach volleyball, it's been raining.  I guess we weren't meant to see beach volleyball the stereotypical "sunny" way.

Day 44 - Silver and Gold

Hey Everyone!

I'm finally getting a break from the incredible work and leisure schedule these past 24 hours.  Last night, four of us went to the Worker's Stadium - a venue southeast of the Olympic Green.  After we got off work yesterday, we went straight to the venue to watch two games of Women's Soccer - Brazil vs. Nigeria and Sweden vs. Canada.  The Brazilian women were great to watch and the three scores the team pumped out were all done by the same woman.  We were seated high in the stands and had a good view of the field.  There was a 45-minute break in between games and we got some food - popcorn, chips and snickers bars.  The venue food is very cheap, but it's not the healthiest.  I got a drink and candy bar for little over a dollar.  In the U.S., it would have cost at least $5.  The second game was more intense.  We had Canada fans to our left and Sweden fans to our right.  Every time the ball got close to the goal, everyone started screaming.  I had never been to a professional soccer game before.  Goal-scoring was probably the highlight of the evening.  The whole stadium erupted with cheers.

Today, I went to the NIS and observed the women's team final competition.  It was, again, an intense competition.  Tenths and hundredths of a point were crucial.  I kept watching the big monitor and then looking down at the actual competition live and couldn't believe I was there!  All of the ONS reporters sit up in the press tribune (boxes in the stands) during the competitions.

The competition was great today - still in awe of it all!

Ted 

Day 41 - Thunder and Rain

Hey Everyone!

Today was another full day at the NIS.  Thunderstorms exploded overhead while we worked inside.  I got to work early to watch the U.S. Women's team compete.  Later, I interviewed some German athletes during the third subdivision.  There wasn't anyone in the broadcast mixed zone that spoke English (NBC, BBC, CBC not working at the time) so I helped out in the press mixed zone.  After work, Ashley and I stopped in one of the sponsor pavilions.  The Omega pavilion - the official timekeepers of the Games - had a store devoted to showing the history of their time pieces and the intricate detail that it takes to make one of the watches.  Much of their handiwork could only be seen with magnification.  It was really interesting.  I'm hoping to stop by the other pavilions tomorrow.  The atmosphere on the Green has really changed.  Throughout the sponsor pavilion corridor, there are live bands and dancers.  Last night, a Japanese group was doing a traditional dance.  Today, a Chinese group was trying to do a Spanish song.  There's also CocaCola, Samsung and Adidas pavilions - just to name a few.  I hope they give out some freebees!  Tomorrow evening, we're going to the Today Show on the Green.  Tune into the show Monday morning and maybe you'll see us if we can make it out there!

Ted

Day 38 [Olympics Eve!!!] - Beijing Huan Ying Ni!!!

Hey Everyone!

It means: "Beijing Welcomes You" - one of the slogans for the Games.

This is it: it's the eve of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and we are just one day away from the start to the festivities.  Our managers at the NIS gave us special accreditation to get into the Olympic Green today and the 8th.  The entire complex is on lockdown for the opening ceremonies.  A lot of us at the NIS agree that even if we won't be able to watch what goes on inside the Bird's Nest (there MAY be a live site or monitor set up outside the stadium), 

it's a rare chance to be at the center of the world for the evening.  We'll get to see the athletes prepare for the Parade of Nations and experience the fireworks firsthand.

For those of you new to the site: welcome!  Including myself, there are four other journalists contributing to this blog page.  The five University of Missouri  students are in Beijing working for the Olympic News Service, an internal news gathering operation that's unlike any other.  A journalist working alone during these Games may not be able to cover every event he or she may want to.  ONS covers every competition at every venue.  We grab quotes from athletes as they finish their competition and put them on a wire service that journalists can access throughout the facilities.  It's a way for journalists to gather information on the go.  Lynette, Sarah and myself are at the gymnastics venue.  Matt is at Field Hockey and Mark is working the Triathlon.  We hope this blog can give you some behind the scenes stories as well as give you a unique perspective to the Olympic Games and China.  We've been blogging for about a month now.  Please feel free to check out our previous posts!  Again, those new to the post: welcome!  Those that started at the beginning with us: thanks for staying!

Ted

The beginning:

Day 37 [2 DAYS TO GO!!!!] - Podium Training

Hey Everyone!

Last night, Laura, Shawna and I went to the home of one of the professors from Renmin University.  A cultural exchange program, started by Renmin, allowed small groups of students to visit with the school's professors.  We took a cab to a large complex of apartment buildings.  His apartment, shared with his wife, 50 day-old girl, mother in law and father in law, had a great view.  We chatted for a bit and then headed to a nearby shopping district for dinner.  He took us to one of his favorite restaurants: a hot pot.  It was my first time to eat this type of food so I wasn't sure what to expect.  The server showed up with a huge pot - divided in the center with one side containing spicy broth and the other containing mild.  Then, she served different side dishes to place into the broths including lamb, beef, seaweed, root, mushroom and bamboo.  It was really good and I tried most of everything!  

The bamboo tasted the most exotic leaving a tangy sensation.  The lamb was my favorite.  The meal was wonderful and it was great to talk with a Chinese professor.  He teaches economics at the college and it was interesting to hear a Chinese perspective of world economics.

Today, we had podium training at the NIS - the men's gymnastics groups were training on the different apparatuses in the main arena.  We got to watch them try out the different apparatuses.  After the different teams rotated around the arena, they all went through the mixed zone and we got to interview them.  I got to interview two Canadian hot shots along with the Canadian press.  It was a media circus, but it was a lot of fun and a great experience.  I can't wait to start working in the broadcast mixed zone with NBC!  We got done with work around 11PM...and started that morning at 9AM!!  Long day, but exciting and a preview of the days to come!  I can't believe we are only two days away.  I can still remember when the countdown timer read 45 days.  Now, we're just about to start.  Once the 8th hits, I'll be soaking in as much Olympic mania I can get!

I even got to take a picture with one of the ladies that carry the flags for the parade of nations!  Watch for them on the 8th!

Ted

Food at the Venue

We get free meals at the venue during our training. Breakfast is provided if you arrive before 8:30am and I haven't had a chance to try that out yet. Lunch is from 11am-2pm and if we have evening shifts, we can eat dinner at the venue as well.

We started training a few days before the Chinese volunteers joined us. Back then, we had a buffet style lunch. There were about 10 family style dishes to choose from and I think most of them tasted really good.

I still remember how many of my classmates got a dish they thought was "cucumber and beef stir-fry" and it turned out to be "cucumber and pig's liver stir-fry" It did look a bit like beef, so I don't blame them. But they were really shocked when they put a piece of liver in their mouths. Now, I get quite a few inquiries about the dishes that we get, making sure they don't put weird stuff in their mouths.


As the Chinese volunteers came, we switched over to microwavable lunch boxes (like TV dinners).
Since there are so many volunteers at the National Indoor Stadium, each department get assigned a different time to go to lunch.

There are seven dishes in each set, usually half meat and have vegetables. Then, we also get a bottle of water, rice, soup and a fruit.
I think the dishes are alright, and out of the seven, I can usually pick two to three that I find okay.
Actually, the lunch in the picture was my least favorite since we start having these kind of lunches.
One of the slogans for this Olympics is "Green Olympics" and I'm really impressed by the recycling system at the venue. After every meal, we have to dispose our trash into three different bins. The smaller bins with yellow bags are for "food waste" and so we dump our left overs inside. Then the taller ones with black bags are for "other waste" which are things like the plastic lunch boxes and spoons. On the far left, there are blue bins (which are barely in the picture) for "recyclable waste" such as our water bottles.

Day 35 [4 DAYS TO GO] - Press Conference

Hey Everyone!

Press Conference: 4 DAYS TO GO!!  Can't believe the waiting is almost over!  I don't know about the rest of my blogger friends, but I feel like I am going to explode with anticipation.  The Chinese, of course, are also extremely excited.  It's been seven years in the making!  I was on the Olympic Green today.  Things are basically set for Friday.  They've cordoned off a main part of the plaza for, I believe, the athletes to line up for the parade of nations.  If you watched the Today Show this morning you would have seen Matt Lauer broadcasting live from the Great Wall.  They took bump shots - the last shot before a commercial break - from the Green.  I was standing right by the camera when they were taking shots of the Bird's Nest lit up.  It was fun to watch.  I also met up with a lady from my home station in Indianapolis (WTHR).  I interned there a few summers ago and it turns out we'll be working together at the NIS!  What are the odds!  She's here working for NBC News Channel and will be following major athletes from Indiana.

Five weeks have gone by and it feels like it's been long and short.  When I think back to some of the first experiences I've had here, it seems forever ago.  However, with the Olympics right on top of us, it feels so short.  We only have three more weeks to go before we leave...but these days are going to be the best!  You can count on continuous updates during the Games!

Check out a panoramic picture of inside the Bird's Nest courtesy of my friend, Laura.  You can really see how massive the stadium really is.  Just click on the picture and scroll from side to side to pan around.

http://lmdotson.com/Pano/Birdsnest.html

Ted

Day 33 [6 Days To Go] - Rehearsal

Hey Everyone!

WOW! What a day! We had training today at the NIS. Things are really coming along at the NIS. Almost ready! The men's U.S. team was there today and I got to interview the head coach on a number of current topics! It was such an amazing experience and I really felt like I was contributing to ONS. Again, I am unable to go into more detail due to privacy issues.

Today was a scheduled rehearsal day for the Opening Ceremonies. After noontime, the area was on lockdown and only those with special, extra credentials were allowed onto the Green. We were given the credentials which allowed us to come on and off the grounds. In the evening, we headed to the Green to watch the rehearsal. We meandered around the Green and took pictures of the fireworks. We camped out across the Bird's Nest - there's a lake south of the Bird's Nest and the reflection of the lights is really pretty. The show was amazing and included five Olympic rings done in firework displays and "2008" numbering with smiley face fireworks. We also got to see the inside of the Bird's Nest as well. It was one of those awestruck moments seeing the massive stage. I could have spent all night in there, but it was late. I think tonight was one of the coolest things I've done in a long time - yeah, it's sad to say that. Anyway, I really felt the Olympic spirit tonight!

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