I got off work after 10.5 hours the other day at 3pm and decided to leave the building for a walk. As I was leaving BNU, I heard “Hey Sheila! Come here!” It was one of the USOC employees who likes his coffee with a little milk and has one at both breakfast and lunch. “Here I want you to have this. It’s one ticket to wrestling and it begins in 2 hours.” My first event—I was SO excited!! And I wasn’t even bummed that I had to go alone. (I am constantly surrounded by people demanding things from me so this was a short vacation!!!)
Now let me begin this story by telling you all that I didn’t know a thing about wrestling, and I still don’t. I didn’t know how it was scored, how long the matches were, or who I was even watching. To my pleasant surprise, I was there for the bronze and gold medal matches!!!!! So I walked into the arena, found my seat and embraced the peace of being alone, when a large family behind me noticed my American credentials and began a conversation about their knowledge of the sport. Their’s was more minimal than mine! One woman said to me, “When I asked what sport we were going to see, they said wrestling. So I asked if the American named Grecco Roman would be competing.) I burst into a fit of laughter and didn’t feel so bad anymore. I wasn’t the most clueless in the place. (Sidenote, Grecco Roman is the name of the type of wrestling we were there to see).
One of the funniest things happened before the matches even began. The city of Beijing is full of bright and bubbly Olympic Volunteers who are more than ready to help anyone with a question. But at this event, I saw cheerleading at it’s most interesting. Scattered throughout the venue, these blue and yellow shirts were stationed to get the crowd ready. I am very curious to know the name of the cheerleading class they took to prepare for the Olympics.
(The Chinese volunteers are hilarious)
So as the bronze medal match began, I really tried to take it in and understand what the hell was going on. But sadly, when it comes down to it, all I see are men rolling around a mat with each other and grabbing in questionable spots. This is the first international event I have ever been to and I was mesmerized by the fans. Decked out in their countries garb, these fans were unbelievable. The support is just so awesome to see. To continue with my great luck for the day, the gold medal match was between an Azerbaijanian, and A RUSSIAN!!! I was so excited and I was sitting just seats away from the Russian fans. It’s funny because I catch myself rooting for the Chinese first (when the Americans aren’t competing) and the Russians second. I’m still a little upset I never made it to Russia this year but this is just as good.
(The Russian fans!)
Each match lasted what felt like no more than five minutes and my Russian wrestler won Gold!!!! Still sitting there with an unreal amount of confusion, I couldn’t help but smile when I watched all three athletes hug their coaches and wave to their respective set of fans scattered throughout the arena. When they stood on the podium and watched their nations flags being raised, a ridiculous feeling of emotion ran through me. I was watching the jumbo screen scan over the athletes and there’s me, the clueless fan getting all teary eyed because the athletes were doing the same. It was a really cool feeling watching these massive men try to contain themselves on the world’s stage.
The following day, I had my entire morning off so five of us searched high and low for tickets to anything. (I was hoping it wouldn’t be Grecco Roman Wrestling but that would have been fine, I’m at the Olympics!) From one sport where I felt like the biggest idiot in the room to one of my favorites, I got women’s basketball tickets!!! So five of us ventured off to the basketball site at 9am to watch a double header…Belarus vs. RUSSIA and Spain vs. Czech Republic.
The second I heard Russia, I knew we’d be watching American Becky Hammon. Apparently the story is that the USA women’s basketball coach didn’t want her so she decided to play for Russia where she plays when she’s off-season with the WNBA. I heard this was a big debate in America, but you would all know about this much better than me!
Becky Hammon interviews with a reporter.
The atmosphere of this game was less exciting than the wrestling because this was only group play. Again, the Russian fans pulled through because they’re awesome but as a whole, the Chinese spectators are there to cheer for everyone.
We had a great time at the basketball games. The entire time I kept saying to myself, “I wish my sister Clare was here….She would have loooooved this.” These girls were huge and really good. Although, I think the USA women’s basketball team is in a far different league than these girls. Our team is jam packed with talent.
It was back to work for me today and I can’t grasp the fact that we only have 10 more days. Tomorrow I will officially break the 200 hour mark for work but until then, I am enjoying a nice night off. I’m not used to this, I don’t know what to do!!!
Quick Notes:
If you watch Women’s Water Polo…cheer for the USA. They are the nicest group of girls!
I met my future husband. His name is Trey Hardee and he is a decathlete. He is ten times more handsome than Phelps (no lie) but Phelps is a God. You’ll all be invited to the wedding, I promise.
Cool story—In Men’s gymnastics, the Hamm brothers both pulled out because of injuries. The last gymnast to be named as the alternate is Alexander Artemev and he didn’t find out until just days ago. He is the nicest guy (really quiet) but today he competed in the All-Arounds!!! Talk about the thrill of a lifetime. One day you’re the last alternate, the next you’re at All Arounds.
Tyson Gay came in the other day and he was realllllly quiet! I was standing next to the world’s fastest man. No big deal.
The USA baseball team cracks me up. On two separate days, six different guys asked me about where to buy beer and where to go out around here. My reaction was, “Are you allowed to do that?” and theirs was, “Are you kidding? Our coaches are nervous we won’t be able to find enough beer.” I was telling the field hockey players this story and they laughed and said, “Yeah they party hard. They’re baseball players. Even during the Olympics.”
Last night I had to go to the USA House and Mary Lou Retton was there! She is absolutely tiny and I don’t think she stopped smiling. She is EXACTLY how I pictured her to be. She’s adorable and is still in awesome shape.
Fairfield’s James Blake just knocked Rodger Federer out.
Michael Phelps has race number 6 tomorrow!!! Can’t wait.
And that is all for now! Another update soon!
No comments:
Post a Comment