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...

Hey Everyone!

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

Hey Everyone!

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

Day 46 - Pin Culture

Hey Everyone!

Today was probably the most perfect day outside since we arrived.  It had rained for almost two days straight, but we were rewarded with a sunny Friday.  Sarah did a great job describing what a lot of us having been going through these past few days.  I can't believe I've been a part of this enormous story.  It never really hits me until I'm sitting in the stands.  I'll be watching the big screen television and then realize it's happening LIVE right in front of me!  I usually watch it at home religiously (I used 16 VHS tapes in 2006!) and now, it's an entirely new experience.

Speaking of experiences: today, we went around the Green and ventured north to the super store.  It is HUGE!  You name it, they have it and more.  THOUSANDS of pins to buy!  For the most part, people want to trade the Missouri pins, but sometimes, they just don't like it.  It happens most to non-Chinese people.  Some people will physically try and take your pin from your lanyard!  It's so fun to try and trade with people...you start to only look chest-level and ignore people's faces.  We have entire strategies to get pins and it's always fun to see what new pins people got throughout the day.  The most sought after ones: a Samsung pin that has a phone on it that actually slides open and closed.  NBC pins are extremely valuable, too!  It's an entire culture during the Olympics - and you have to learn the language if you want to collect!  Check out some pins on my lanyard in the picture!

Ted

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.

Today Show - August 13, 2008

More Today Show Appearances from Jen Reeves on Vimeo.

Mark and Sarah made appearances on the Today Show! I tried to get this online yesterday but other KOMU jobs got into the way. Anyway. You can see Mark OBVIOUSLY waving a KOMU sign and a Canadian flag!! I didn't get to add arrows, but the next shot you can see Sarah right under the time graphics. After that, you can see Sarah in the middle to the right as the anchors talk to a person from Chicago. There are a couple of other Mark and Sarah shots as well. Enjoy!

Going for Gold!

Tonight, fate intervened in my life.

Tonight, I decided I wanted to go watch Swimming at the Water Cube, but accidentally ran into Brian William's assistant instead. I explained that I report for KOMU (an NBC affiliate) and asked her if she could get me a ticket to the Today Show. She had one in her hand and told me I could have it and to have fun. It just so happened other Mizzou students were there, so I met up with Sarah and Paige and we waited for almost two hours for the show to start.

I wanted to share one experience that I had at the Today Show this evening, but first a bit of background. I went to South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, N.C. At the time, my high school had an outstanding swimmer. His name was Ricky Berens. Everyone in Charlotte knows Ricky's name, he's a great guy and has an amazing reputation as a swimmer. Anyways, Ricky graduated the year after me and I found out he went to U-Texas at Austin and pursued swimming.

Well today, Ricky and the Team USA 200-meter freestyle relay team set a World Record and won Gold Medals at the Water Cube. I was working at the Field Hockey venue and had a chance to catch a glimpse of the race...needless to say, I was screaming at the screen! The Chinese people around me thought I was crazy for yelling that "I know him! I went to high school with him! I know his sister too!"

I can't explain how excited I am for Ricky and his family!

Well, if you watched the Today Show this morning, you saw Matt Lauer interview Ricky. I couldn't believe, of all days, I was there the day Ricky was interviewed! As soon as he appeared on the set, I wasn't sure if I would say hi since it's been almost 4 years since I last saw him. I decided to go and say hi, even if I would awkwardly explain that we went to high school, in case he didn't recognize me. As I walked over to the set, Team USA supporters chanted his name, took pictures and requested autographs. When I managed to get over to his area, I yelled out "RICKY!". Luckily, and to my relief, he remembered me. Not only did he recognize me, he knew who I was! He came over and I congratulated him over and over again, and said how proud I am to say I know him. We chatted for a bit, and I answered "So what exactly are you doing in Beijing?"

After his interview with Matt, Ricky came over one more time and I asked to take a picture with him. You can see the picture above. What you can't see is what happened moments before that picture was taken. Ricky let me HOLD HIS GOLD MEDAL!! I can't even describe how awesome it was! I couldn't believe I had an Olympic Gold Medal in my hands! (Although it was still attached to his neck!) It wasn't too heavy, was embossed with the Olympic logo and had jade set in the other side. It was so awesome, I can't say it enough.

If you couldn't tell, I'm still excited about my adventure over to the Olympic Green today. There are tons of more stories to share, but this is the story about one event that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

I could've decided to stay home and watch events on TV; I could've bought a ticket for the Water Cube; I could've walked past Brian Williams' assistant...but instead, fate intervened.

Mark

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 43 - Men's Team Final - Victory!

Hey Everyone!

Today was Men's Team Final for gymnastics.  We got to work at 8AM and prepared for the day.  We had some extra time after looking up info on our athletes and a few of us went over to the McDonalds on the Green.  I was CRAVING a hash brown and was dying for an excuse to go over and get one.  After our fix, we headed to the press tribune to watch the events.  The entire day was incredible.  As you all probably saw on television, the men did a wonderful job!  The last few rotations, the tension really started to build.  At this time, we were all heading to our positions for the interviews.  I headed to the broadcast mixed zone and got to watch the men compete on the pommel horse - about 20 feet away!  When the U.S. team had finished and realized they just got the bronze metal, every single one of them went crazy including the coaches.  It was a neat moment.  The medal ceremony followed soon after.

Visit http://www.nbcolympics.com/gymnastics/news/nesid=199300.html#gymnasts+rally+bronze to see the interview in the mixed zone.  I was literally inches from the camera and just a foot away from the athletes as they talked with Andrea.  So coo!

I have to say that watching the medal ceremony was probably one of the coolest things I've seen during these Games.  True, the U.S. did not win gold, but it was the atmosphere and nuances that made it so spectacular.  The athletes cleared the floor and the podiums were set.  The winning teams walked into a screaming stadium.  The Chinese, with the gold, had the most supporters in the house and they were going wild.  Set to dramatic/movie score music, the presenters handed out the bronze to the U.S.  The Japanese came forward to receive the silver and shook the hands of the U.S. team.  The Chinese walked up last and shook hands with the U.S. and Japanese teams.  This was a special moment.  Many local Chinese I've talked to say the Japanese aren't their closest friends - but here, they were joined through sport and had put that behind them.  Both teams seemed amiable.  The final announcement over the PA proclaiming China as the champion caused an immediate eruption from the crowd.  Camera flashes went off like confetti all around me.  It was like one of those endings to a Hollywood sports movie.  As the Chinese national anthem played and the flags were raised, I couldn't help but get shivers at what I was witnessing.  The U.S. men's team suffered the loss of two valuable players (Morgan and Paul Hamm), but they were able to surprise everyone and rise to the challenge.  The Chinese were infinitely proud of this moment as well - and it showed.  This truly was an Olympic moment.

Ted

Look who was on the Today Show!

I thought I'd post a portion of the Today Show with the Beijing group showing off some pride:


Mizzou Pride at the Today Show from Jen Reeves on Vimeo.

-Jen Reeves
komu.com New Media Director

Day 42 - The "Tonight" Show

Hey Everyone!

Man, it was an incredible day today - but what can you expect when you're in China for the Olympics?  This morning we went to Beach Volleyball qualifications bought by BOCOG.  It was a really pleasant surprise!  We arrived early to make the 9AM start time.  The sky was dark.  Officials were handing out ponchos - and about half an hour in, we needed them.  It didn't really rain too hard, and most of us were so into the matches anyway it didn't matter.  It was a really awesome venue and the DJ did a pretty good job at getting everyone rowdy.  Random 80's dance music would cut in between each point.

 The Chinese "cheer" Lynette was talking about in an earlier blog post was resounding throughout the morning.  We got to see Latvia and Argentina play in addition to three other matches.  The Chinese women were especially fun to watch because the crowd was really into it.  I got my hands on some "thunder sticks" (with help from Shawna!) which helped me cheer and blend in with the crowd.

In the evening, we headed to the Green to be in the crowd for the Today show...or should I say Tonight show.  Due to time zone changes, the morning show is done live at 7PM here to be shown live 7AM on the east coast.  It was SO cool to be there.  I called home and told my mom to watch it.  They took several bump shots - shots in and out of commercial break - of the crowd and many of the interviews done with athletes were done with the Mizzou crew in the background.  Al Roaker even mentioned Mizzou before a weathercast!  The talent came down to say hi during breaks and we got some great pictures.  

Everyone was really nice and appreciative we were there.  We also saw Cullen Jones and Sarah Brightman do some interviews and watched the Today Show crew try their hands at noodle-making.  It was an amazing evening.  Anne Curry spoke to us off the cuff during a break and told us journalism students some really great things.  She said that journalism is alive and it is only as good as the people that are doing it.  Fame isn't great - but it can help you do great things and help other people.  I think that that was one of the coolest things of the evening - getting to hear Anne speak.  It was totally in the moment and she was just seemed down to earth.  It's probably easy to just hate coming to see the mobs of people that just want to take pictures and get autographs.  Everyone, however, was genuinely happy to see us - something I'll always remember.

Ted

Where are the fans?

Sitting in the press tribune tonight, I was quite disappointed with what I saw. I loved the field hockey matches. On pitch one, I got the pleasure of seeing the USA score the equalizer against heavy-favorite Argentina with just over five minutes to play. During the second game, Germany put on a clinic scoring five times and holding Great Britain to just one goal. What I was disappointed with is what I saw in the stands... a very small crowd.

Now I am sure tomorrow's newspaper will claim the consistent rain kept fans from the opening day of field hockey. I guess I will say that was part of the problem, but after talking with my dad who has been watching the Games religiously, he said unfilled seats are also present at beach volleyball and even gymnastics. For the record, gymnastics is not affected by rain. It's not the weather that is keeping people away, it is the ticket price.

Ticket prices for games are relatively reasonable. Rhythmic gymnastics for example sell at face value at around 30 bucks. Beach volleyball tickets are less than 5 and baseball is a whole $7.50. All the tickets are sold out, but why are the venues not filled. This is because scalpers believe the tickets are worth way more than they are. For example last night I received an email from a guy telling me he wanted 10,000 RMB for 2 semifinal baseball tickets. That is roughly $1,500. That is more than I would pay for Super Bowl tickets. So how do we get rid of scalpers that ruin the game and cause poor attendance at Olympics events?

I would like to propose the Lothrop Plan. For those in charge of the Vancouver Games in 2010 and London in 2012, feel free to further contact me about this theory. I will be more than happy to guide you. The plan is a hybrid model of Haymarket Park in Lincoln and the idea of Will Call. Here is how it would work. All tickets would be sold by will call. You could either order on line, in person, or by phone. However you would not be able to pick up the tickets until 72 hours before the event. This would cut down on the people buying the tickets and immediately reselling them. They would not have them in hand until 3 days before the event.

The second part of my plan is that if the tickets have not been claimed 3 hours before the game, they are resold at face value to the general public. Think of it this way, you could charge the face value to both the initial ticket purchaser and the guy who is actually going to the game. An empty seat and a full seat cost about the same to heat and cool. Also a full seat usually buys popcorn, soda, candy, pretzels, t-shirts, hats and programs. Also full venues make it at least look as if the locals care about the sport.

This plan is still in it's infancy stage as there are many ways it could be improved. But think about it, all the things we would like to see would happen. Those fanatics who want to go to the games could buy them weeks in advance and pick them up 3 days before the competition. Also casual fans could pick up a cheap ticket. Vendors could sell more Snickers bars. And most importantly in my mind, we could eliminate scalpers.

Cheers,
-Matt

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 40 - The Opening Ceremonies - A Local Perspective

Hey Everyone!

Wow - it has been a whirlwind these past 48 hours.  Last night, I got to bed around 2:45AM and was up at 8 ready for work.  This is the first chance I've had to reflect on the past few days.  Here's what's been going on...

August 8th, I left the hotel at 12:30 to get to the Olympic Green.  I wasn't sure how bad the traffic was going to be and I wanted to get some footage around the area.  Security was the highest I've ever seen it and I ended up having to walk to the Green - we've always taken the bus.  I must have passed through five checkpoints before I was even CLOSE to the Green.  It was funny, I wasn't quite sure how many levels of clearance I had every time I approached a checkpoint.  I pretended I knew what I was doing and walked briskly through.  When I was

 stopped, I tried to reason, but it doesn't help when the police officer doesn't speak English...and he thinks you speak Chinese.  I walked around for awhile and finally ended up getting to the entrance around 4:00PM!  I was dehydrated and tired from walking so long and being rejected by the guards.

At the NIS, we met journalists that had come to interview the athletes pre-Opening Ceremonies.  The NIS was the staging area for all the athletes before the Parade of Nations.  I went outside and watched the start of the Opening Ceremony with a bunch of volunteers on the Olympic Green.  

About two hours before the ceremony, people started pouring in.  I can only describe it as an international gathering and melting pot of countries from all over.  Everyone was in a party mood and we took the opportunity to take pictures with as many people as we could.  It was a mutual sharing of photos and there never seemed to be enough people to take the pictures!

There were monitors set up...but they were not showing what was happening inside!  I was disapointed, but many of us made a pact that if it came to that, we would want to say we were there in person.  We could watch it whenever we wanted to.

I got to see the drummers line up for the opening portion of the performance and got some pictures with the actors.  They were all very popular!  Then, we gathered around the large chute that was set up for the athletes to send them into the stadium for the Parade of Nations.  It was incredible seeing all the countries go by.  The Chinese people were feeding off the athletes when they responded to their cheers.  It was one surprise after another.

By

 the time 11:30PM rolled around, we were getting tired.  Many of us wanted to stick it out to watch the flame.  Close to midnight, the cauldron was illuminated and without hesitation, it was lit in a bright flash.  Fireworks followed in a cornucopia of colors and shapes.  One formation was in the Olympic rings.  Not only were they shot off by the stadium, but down the entire Green.  The sky was literally filled with fireworks and we were surrounded!  It was one of the best shows I've seen!  As an extra treat,

 fireworks continued to go off as we headed to the subway - conviently, they were in the same

 direction!  Words cannot describe the evening...here's a better attempt.  (waiting for the fireworks)

Today was our first day on the Olympic Green during the Games.  Seeing the flame watching over us was very cool!  We entered the NIS and got ready for our first round of competitions.  I worked with the NBC Sports people - national.  We interviewed all of the men's team after competition in subdivision 1.  When you see the interviews with them, I'm standing literally inches from them scribbling down quotes.  It was so much fun!  I stuck around for the other subdivisions throughout the day helping out and

 observing the competition.  

I also heard today there was a murder near the Drum Tower.  That is located in Ho Hai - an area we visited awhile back - the place with the rickshaws.  It is very sad to hear about the incident.  Haven't heard too much about that here locally.  (Drum Tower performance weeks before)

Will try to keep you updated on this incredible journey.  Hope you enjoyed the start to the Games!  Thank you to all for checking out this blog - I hope it can help you see another side of China.

Ted