Uniform Uniformity

Hello Everyone! My name is Ted Arthur, another KOMU 8 News reporter heading to China this summer. I'm sure I share this with my other colleagues in saying we are all very excited to take part in this year's Olympics.

Our job will be only a cog in the massive logistical workings of the Olympic News Service. The Missouri School of Journalism volunteers will be placed at different venues to grab quick quotes from athletes as they leave the field from their event. Positioned in the "mixed zone", or area between the field and press/locker rooms, we'll scramble with other reporters to get that sometimes elusive quote. "What happened at that last salto you completed?" "You must feel good about today's competition!?" Our quotes will go into a newsbase that will provide Olympic information for journalists.

This is the volunteer outfit package each person will receive. We are to wear the uniform to the events we work. Different colors and styles will help officials and athletes know what our purpose is at the venue. As you can see, the Olympic Committee has thought of everything from zip-off pants to a sun-protective hat (quite stylish I might add) for those scorching-hot days.

I will be working at the gymnastics venue during the games. As a gymnastics novice, I've tried to study the point system, moves and team members. One particular interesting behind-the-scenes point of interest (this is the stuff you were really hoping for, right?!) is if a rhythmic gymnast picks at a wedgie from her outfit "riding up" on her, she will lose points. There's even a special spray that helps to prevent such occurrences.

Anyway, wardrobe malfunctions aside, I'm looking forward to becoming a gymnastics expert for a few weeks. As Mark mentioned, feel free to ask questions. We're hoping this can be an interactive and informative experience for everyone! I'm looking forward to blogging these 60 days of my life. Still looking for a ticket to the opening games...not willing to spend the market price of $1,500 a seat!

Now all I need to do is brush up on my Chinese...

Ted

欢迎 (Welcome)

Less than thirty days away from China. There’s still so much to do with so little time!

Welcome to the BeijingExperience2008 blog. I am Mark Welsh, one-fourth of the KOMU reporting team that will be blogging from the Beijing Olympic Games this summer.

I’ll start blogging my trip before the 14-hour flight over to Beijing. I promise to keep you updated until I return and acclimatize back to American life.

I will share my experiences as a foreign reporter and tourist in China. I will try to focus on what it is like to be a “Westerner” in China’s capital city and share some of the interesting experiences I encounter along the way.

I hope you enjoy reading this blog, please check back often for our updates. Feel free to share this site with your family and friends. Once we arrive in Beijing, we will occasionally add short video clips and some of our pictures from our trip.

If you have any issues you would like me to talk about while in China or if you have any questions about China you want answered, you can email me at MarkTWelsh@gmail.com.

Have a nice summer and enjoy watching the games!

Mark

CCTV Story

Our students were featured on CCTV - one of the largest television stations in the world: