News
SAM'S OLYMPIC BLOG
Entry 3
First off. The disclaimer. My mind does not know which way is up right now so if this is slightly garbled that’s why.
We arrived at the village after the media circus of the airport and a short bus ride through the outskirts of Beijing. We drove through the Olympic Green which is the main center of activity during the games on the way; we passed the Birds Nest and the weird swimming venue which actually is blue. The security to get into the village is extremely tight and involves sweeps with some sort of thermal imager, bomb sniffing dogs and the obligatory metal detector and mandatory wanding. Once inside we were escorted to the building where the rest of team USA is housed (we take up two whole buildings) and got our keys to the rooms. The building are all new and very nice so we just took the opportunity to relax for a few hours and lay down flat. For Sheila who has done this multiple times before it was an opportunity for her to meet up again with friends she hasn’t seen since the last time they were all together in Athens. We had dinner with some members of the swim team who had just finished with practice so were doing their best to eat everything in sight. There is everything you could ever want to eat here in the main dining hall (there are others spread out throughout the complex) with the serving areas separated generally into regions so everyone is happy.
The Chinese have gone out of their way to make everyone as comfortable as possible here. If I look slightly puzzled or lost which has happened a lot so far I get descended on by about six eager volunteers who are anxious to help in any way. We had a meeting in the main athlete lounge area with regards to security, sports med and doping control throughout the course of the games. Unfortunately after all the travel and just general not sleeping for almost 36 hours I fell asleep….standing against the wall. The stuff covered is all relatively self explanatory and most I’ve heard before so it shouldn’t be too big of a problem. The US staff is used to my antics such as these though so as long as I didn’t fall over and make noise they seem content to just give me a rough time about it later. I can be serious when I need.
I haven’t really had a chance to explore a whole lot so far and take pictures but I will have time tomorrow I hope to do this before opening starts. Since I woke up this morning at three AM I expect to have more of the same tomorrow. Unfortunately due to the rules of the International Olympic Committee I am forbidden from using any pictures from the field of play in this writing. This includes opening and closing ceremonies so I will be unable to get any shots from the actual march in the stadium but will get some before and after shots hopefully.
The USOC
Sam
Entry 2
We are halfway through the flight so far and its going pretty well because
of the general buzz of excitement all through the plane. On of the guys who
will be running the 10K; Jorge Torres hasn't sat down yet I think. There are
card games going on with some of the other groups of athletes. I think after
I finish writing this I will go join in.
Its really starting to build now. Pretty soon (pretty soon being 5 hours
from now)we will land in China and the journey will really begin. Tonight I
will get to stay in the Olympic Village. I'm not sure what the exact feeling
is but I will do my best to describe it when I get there but I don't know if
I will be able to.
Sheila and I got seats next to eachother which is actually lucky if you
think about it because this very rarely happens. I'm glad though because
I've taken the oppurtunity to pick her brain on the general experience and
how she deals with all the hustle and bustle that goes on. Since this is her
fourth go around she is what you could experienced so having her input is
invaluable to me and I'm taking advantage of it.
It is getting so close to the day when I will walk into the stadium with the
United States Team in front of the worlds eyes.
Sam
Entry 1
I'm somewhere over the Pacific about to cross into Russian territory. We
have about 6 hours left in the flight. My teammate Sheila and I have spent
most of the flight so far trying to stretch the batteries in the various DVD
players, computers etc. we use to pass the time because there is no battery
that will last that long. Between the two of us we are getting it done
though. My computer did completely die in the middle of a movie and it kept
the DVD inside so I guess we'll finish it later.
The important thing on a flight like this is to not stay sitting the whole
time because I wouldn't be able to walk afterwards so I have been
circulating around the plane talking to people or just walking and
stretching. Many of the people on the plane are also coming over to watch or
visit friends and family during the games so there is plenty to do because
they all want to talk and socialize.
When we land there is apparently a large crowd of media and people who just
hang out at the airport wanting to meet and greet so I hope I am not too
grumpy after the ride and don't offend anyone. We are then herded onto buses
and taken to the village where we check in and get yet another briefing by
someone about something. They love to have meetings especially after we just
got done being cooped up in a metal tube for 12 hours. It adds to the flavor
and mood for sure.
After we settle in I think that i will just walk around and absorb the
atmosphere. I'm going to enjoy it for sure.
Thanks for all the letters and emails of encouragement, it means a lot.
Sam
Sam Sacksen Joins the 2008 Olympic Pentathlon Team
From the US Olympic Committee to Sam Sacksen: Congratulations! Due to your performances and per the USA Pentathlon Athlete Selection Procedures, you have been nominated to the UIPM for the XXIX Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Olympic Invitation Letter
TriState Region Newsletters