Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Thoughts & reflections part 2

Another comment about the food, in 11 of the last 12 days I had sessions at night, they would start around 7-8 pm, to allow time to get to the venues and get thru security you would leave about 1 1/2 hours before the start, so you didn't really have time for dinner before the event, because you couldn't take any food or drinks in, you had to rely on the crappy food that they sold there, other than small sauages ort of grilled and not all places had them, you were getting preprocessed food, like buns or a chinese sort of small hotdog, I remember one night I was really hungry but they didn't have much, so dinner consisted of a snickers, ice cream, bun & a zero coke (really healthy), at the main area near the Aquatics centre & Birds Nest there was a McDonalds, no other Franchises.




I did discover a Subway at a shopping centre, but I had to go out my way to buy a roll there, but I did have a local bakery, which did really nice cakes, buns, rolls & some very small pizzas, so I did buy some of that on the way home from early sessions or for lunch when I had the afternoon off.




I do hope London can sort that out, I mean it seems ironic that you can't sell healthy foods at sporting events, I mean what can a supporter do without his meat pie or box of greasy chips. At least at Athens you were not far from shops & resteraunts to eat (I had my life time quota of Suvlaki)





I think when Beijing did their test events they didn't have too many foreigners at them.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Reflections & thoughts

I had a great time here at the Games, overall it was very organised but sometimes they were too organised, some of the officials had no idea how to think for themselves, they all just taught to obey, examples When there was a big queue for the security they had no concept of trying to get the people into the venues quicker, there procedures were just mundane, the kids serving at the food counters, there 6-8 people but only 2 people got served at a time, they had 1 person taking your order, 1 taking the money and 1 getting the stuff and 1 person just being there.

At the sporting venues you couldn't take food or drink or any liquids into the events, I couldn't even take in an empty water bottle or my eye drops, the security basically padded you down before entering the area.

Yes there were lots of empty seats at events which frustrated us spectators, they would bring in rent-a-crowd now and then to fill up the space, you couldn't get tickets to the Tennis but you see empty stands when watching it on TV, I think London will fix up this problem. Also there was a lot of unused areas for media & VIP, London said they will sort this out as well, at the Basketball 80-90% of the crowd sat in the rafters. For a basketball session you get 2 games, Australia played 2nd in most sessions so we get the 'A' tickets of the supporters leaving after the first game, also we would use old tickets to get into the A area.

I will miss the 25-50c ice creams, very cheap, drinks were cheap, I didn't get any but beers were about $1 a can, food was very cheap, 2 people could eat at a restaurant for about $10-15.

I wish they had got their security & police force lessons on how to smile, they were line the subway at the end of the night as they were at a funeral, it may it a very sterile feeling.

I will probably file another set of thoughts later when I remember them

Womens Gold Medal game & Marathon

You know the result, it was a very disappointing game, for the spectators and themselves, the referees actually kept them in the game early, USA picked up a few fouls including a number of offensive ones but the Opals shot very badly from the floor, only Jackson & Belinda Snell really scored but the Yanks still kept Lauren quiet, it doesn't help with their coach has looked after Lauren in the WNBA for 4-5 seasons, she knows her game and how to shut her down. She was devastated after the game she really took it hard, maybe she wants the Gold too badly, its not for me to comment on her feelings, I am not ever going to play for Gold.

There were a lot of Aussies there both supporters and fellow Athletes, you never saw so much Gold 9& bits of green) in one place, the USA mens team were there as well and they were getting quite of a bit of attention. The game finished at about 11.40pm and then they started the Medal ceremony at midnight that finished at 12.30, it was about 1.30 in the morning before I go home.

The marathon started at 7.30am local time here, because the marathon course was only a couple of kms away from the Hotel, I donned my running gear and ran down to the course (around the 6-7km mark), it was quite warm and a little bit of humidity so I thought it would be tough running it today, I got a good position to see them come down one of the roads and I saw them run past at the 19-20 min mark, there for a few Kenyans, Ethiopians & Eritreans leading so I expected the winners to come from those countries (Kenya Gold, Morocco Silver and Ethiopia Bronze) Lee Troop (Aussie) was already well back so I thought he wasn't going to challenge today.

I will be watching the Closing Ceremony at the Australia house setup at one of the Hotels.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Basketball & Hockey

Just a brief summary of the past couple of days, Thursday night I went out to the Hockey to see the kookaburras take on the Spanish in the mens semi final, started well with a goal inside 37 secs, then scored again the 2nd minute of the 2nd half but then it was all Spain, they levelled within 10 minutes and then Australia kept them out until 3 mins to go when the Spanish went 3-2 up and held them us off.

Last night I went the Mens Basketball semis, it is good to watch some games when you are not emotionally involved with them, the first game between Spain and Lithuania was very tight most of the night, Lithuania were in foul trouble in the 2nd half and had 4 games foul out and they still only lost by 3-4 pts, I thought they were unlucky in some referee decisions.
the 2nd semi saw the Yanks beat Argentine by about 10-12pts, but they were not convincing, they were 31 - 11 at quarter time but Argentine got back into the game in the 2nd half and they got as close as 8-10 pts, the USA started to muck around a bit, they love their 'Showtime', a good FIBA team could beat them, but I think Spain will come up short tomorrow afternoon.

I am off now to see the Opals battle the USA and it will be a 'fight', both teams will come out tough and lets hope our Girls are victorious, will report back tomorrow about the game, plus some reflections of the past couple of weeks.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Sally Sally Sally Oi Oi Oi



On Tuesday afternoon I couldn't get into the Australian Womens basketball quarter final so I headed straight out to the Athletics.


What a night at the Athletics, I had a great view from the 3rd Tier I was the finishing line side of track at about the 20 metre line, I saw the finals of the Mens Discus, High Jump, 1500 M, Womens 400 and of course the 100 hurdles, first rounds of Womens 200m, Mens 200m & 400m semis, which is a bit strange because there maybe some good runners that may wish to do both, Micheal Johnson did the double at Sydney, also 110 Mens hurdles 2nd round.


Sally McLellan ran a great race for Silver in the Womens 100 Hurdles, I actually thought she had won when she crossed the line but then the USA runner was given the Gold, there were about 5-6 girls across the line together, but then had to wait for the photo finish, when she was named tied with the Canadian girl I was just jumping up & down, I was so proud, she did her lap of the stadium, seeing her run is the reason why I keep coming back to the Olympics.


After the final of the Mens 1500 they said that there was going to be a Medal ceremony, i didn't know which even that was for, so I headed down to the bottom level of the stadium and when I found that is was Sallys race, I went into that area and had a great view of her getting the medal, there were heaps of aussies there, it was only now that I realised that she had been given the Silver on her own. There was only .02 between 2nd and 6th and her reaction time was .01 to .1 quicker than all the other runners that her start had helped her get the medal.


Wednesday lunchtime I bought the token Olympic polo shirt (and of course the fridge magnets), I was running a bit short of shirts I only have about 30 at home, I was also given 2 Polo supporters shirts from the Tour mob.


I went out last night and saw the USA beat Boomers fairly convincingly, we were only 1 down at qtr time, we were within 9 pts just before halftime but turned the ball over and they scored a 3 pointer on the half time siren and when they scored the first 16 pts of the 3rd qtr (it was the Kobe Bryant show) the game was over. Bogut hurt his ankle early in the 3rd and didn't play again, Patty Mills again played above his height & experience scoring 20 pts, at least the scoring was spread around and we don't just rely on 1 player, the future for Australia basketball is good, there are a lot of young players coming up, the 2010 Worlds will see a changing of the guard, Matt Nielsen has retired, I can't see Bruton, Saville & Anstey being there, so there will be room for new players.

Tonight i am off to my first Hockey Match, then mens semi final against Spain.


Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Too much Sport is barely enough

On Sunday night I went out to the Athletics, the 'Birds Nest' Stadium is very impressive, I wonder how much BHP steel is in the structure. I was up on the 3rd level, I had a great view of the track but I was a long way up

I saw Sally McLellan finish 2nd in her heat of the 110 hurdles qualifying for the next round, there was also qualifying for the Mens High Jump, first round of the Womens 400 hurdles, semis for the Mens 1500, Womens 400 & 100.

I saw the finals of the Mens Hammer, Womens triple jump, Womens 100, Womens steeple and Mens 10,000, during the Womens Steeple the water jump is inside the track just by the Highjump and men were still jumping during the race and running across the inside track which I thought was strange especially if there was a collision between a jumper and runner.

They also had the medal ceremony's for the Womens Shotput won by the NZ girl, we might struggle to beat that, and the Mens 100 winner Mr 'Lightening' Bolt, he is a showman, he must be worth millions now.

On Monday morning I went to the see the Boomers play Lithuania, this game didn't really mean anything unless Iran beat Croatia (which didn't happen), the guys just played well, Bogut plays such a smart game he scored 23 pts and just controlled the game winning 106 to 75, they got within 6 in the 2nd and then we went on a 19 to 0 run, just blew them away, we shot 16 from 25 beyond the 3pt line, that is just incredible shooting, everybody played well, Patty Mills has gone from 10th or 11th man to be one of the first subs, Australian basketball future looks bright, with the big young players of Andrew Ogilvy & Nate (Baby Shaq) to come into the team and more great players coming out of the AIS.

After the basketball I caught the subway back towards the Hotel, at the last stop it is about 15 mins walk to the Hotel or a 5 min Bus ride, I decided to walk I cam across a Mongolian Restaurant, I thought its lunchtime and nothing ventured nothing gained, I was the only customer I had about 4-5 people serving me, there menus have pictures of the food but no English and none of the people spoke it either, so I was having a little bit of trouble finding out what the dishes were and whether they were hot or not, I took pot luck, it turned out to a meat dish with potatoes and I think pumpkin in a sort of tomato sauce, it was ok, with getting a big serve of rice as well i didn't finish it all, with a can of drink the whole meal cost me $8 for a sit down meal, what a bargain.

There was disappointment at the Hotel because the Hockey girls draw with China so missing out on the semis, this will be the 2nd Olympics in a row that they have missed out on a medal after previously winning 2-3 golds at previous games.

I hope everybody back home is well, signing off for the day, heading to the Athletics tonite and hoping to snare a Womens Basketball quarter final ticket this afternoon.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

We Beat Russia twice

What can I say, the 2 best games of Basketball I have seen Australia play for a long time, in summary the Boomers beat the Russian men Saturday 95-80 and then today the Opals after being down by 12 at the half stormed home in the 2nd half to win by 20 points 75-55.

Back to the Men, after bagging CJ Bruton in my previous blogs he came out and played very well for 20 odd points, Australia started well and led by about 10 after 1st qtr and then 17 at the half, Bogut was playing well getting right into the game scoring, rebounding and blocking shots.
The start of the 2nd half Russia had a 9-0 run in 80 secs, I thought he we go again but after a timeout the boys steadied and built the lead back up, I don't think it dropped below 10 for the rest of the game, only downside David Barlow just can't get into the game (he had a shocker) David Andersen again plays strong off the bench, Patty Mills does a great job around the court offensively and defensively, he will be the starting point guard for Australia at London.

The Opals in the first half just looked terrible, turnovers, bad shots, bad passes, they went from 5 in front to be 15 behind at one stage in the 2nd quarter, the player Becky Harmon USA born who was only given her Russian papers about 4 months ago was controlling the game scoring 15 points. The 3rd quarter was the best basketball I have seen the Opals play, they stopped Harmon in her tracks and just swept in front out scoring Russia 30 to 10 in the 3rd and just kept going in the last. There were a big lot of spectators there including a group of guys dressed in the Opal tight one piece suits including Hamish & Andy from the Rove show, I think Channel 7 filmed a few of these guys outside the stadium.

Tonite I am off to my first nite of Athletics, really looking forward to that.

Roger

Friday, August 15, 2008

More Basketball & Swimming


Went out Wednesday night to see the Opals live for the first time, they easily accounted for South Korea but they really didn't have their A grade game on, sometimes when playing weaker teams you play down to their ability, I think they will need to improve to beat the USA, they are now 3 from 3.


I went for a run this thursday morning my third for the trip, I am still struggling with the heat & humidity plus my hamstrings have been a bit sore from the walking (I must be weak) after breakfast which is a great buffet put on by the hotel, this keeps me going for the day I went out to Basketball again to watch the Boomer play, they were in the first session (each session morning, afternoon and evening has 2 games)


Spain played Germany at 9am, beat them quite easily, the Germans just had too many turnovers, Boomers were on at 11.15am against Iran, my ticket was meant to be in the rafters section of the stadium but because few Spanish people left after their game, I swapped tickets and got into the A section which gives a much lower view, I ran into Patty Mills Dad and had a chat with him.


Back to the Boomers game, they looked good against Iran, Brad Newley played well, so did Patty Mills, they nailed a few 3's this time, but they will have to improve to beat Lithuania & Russia in the next 2 games to get thru to the quarters, they will at least have to beat Russia.


One thing with this trip is meeting lots of great people, got to meet Craig Stevens parents, a very nice couple, a few days ago had breakfast with this guy (people just sit anywhere and share tables) I said to somebody that guy looks like Ric Charlesworth, the ex Australian Hockey player & coach & Cricketer, sure enough it was, a lovely fellow that I have had some great conversations with. I am sharing a room with one of the fathers of an Australian Female hockey player.


Last night I went off to watch the swimming heats at the Ice cube (swimming centre) nothing really exciting but it was good to see all the heats for men's 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly (phelpestan was swimming, will explain this another time) women's 800 freestyle & 200 backstroke, go the Bus up there and back, it is in the Northern Olympic area with the Birds nest and other stadiums.


Friday morning I went to see the Opals play Latvia, I hadn't planned that, a lady from work Jing Jing who is Australian Chinese has been in Beijing for the past 2 months visiting her Mum and she had got tickets for the game, so I met her there. Latvia really pushed them early actually led 36 to 33 in the later stages of the 2nd quarter but 3 3's put Australia back in front by 3 at halftime and then really stepped up a gear that they hadn't used this tournament, Lauren Jackson was just awesome with 30 points, she must have hit 5 3 pointers, she was on song. This will give them more confidence going into Sundays game against Russia, both are undefeated in the Group, the winner should avoid USA until the Gold Medal play off (if they won all their remaining games) After the game Jing Jing and I had lunch at a local restaurant, I had pigs trotters, that might be as adventurous as I will get, off to the Boomers tomorrow morning.


Roger

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Basketball & Shopping



I watched the Boomers play last night, they were terrible against the Argentines, it was embarrassing, it was 23 to 5 at one stage and they didn't really recover, I think they got within 8 in the 2nd or 3rd quarter but there were a lot of players that should be ashamed of their play.


Only Patty Mills with a great 22points, weaving up & down the court with speed that worried the Agies and David Andersen who was our best big man, Andrew Bogut had a fair game he had some great blocks but I think he needs to put his hand up and say I am the go to man.


Anstey and CJ Bruton should give it away, Brian Gourjin needs to work out his starting 5, bring in Patty and relegate CJ to bench, we are getting murdered from the 3 pt line, our defence sucks, we need a miracle to make the quarter finals now.




Today I went to the famous Silk & Pearl market store, it has 6 floors that sell mainly clothes, jewellery, small electrical, etc, it is full of small shops, they are really aggressive with their sales approaches, I have bruises on my arms to prove it, I bough a new wallet for $8 that they initially told me $250, I am looking at getting a Cashmere Jumper for about $40 that they wanted $300 first up but I will go back next week and bargain for it.


Tonight I am off to watch the Opals play, they are not in good form but they are still winning, there toughest game will be Sunday against the Russians, that will decide top spot in their group.


It has been warm today, i got really confused after getting out of a train station to catch a bus back to the Hotel and I caught the bus going the wrong way and I had to go back to the Station and start again, the humidity can be draining on you.


Roger




Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Tian'anmen Square


Hi all, no events yesterday, but watched the swimming on TV and then went to the office the British Olympic ticket seller to see what tickets they had left but they were all sold out as well, there has been the issue of events that are 'Sold Out' that have plenty of empty seats.


Then I went to Tian'anmen square to wander, it wasn't as impressive as I thought it would be, it was a lot smaller than it is made out to be, there is a Palace in the centre of it which does take up a bit of space, Maybe it would look better with a few tanks motoring around.


It was a bit cooler yesterday only 25-26C so it wasn't too bad wandering around the streets, I looked at a few shops and I bought a good pair of binoculars for $20 and funnily a magnifying glass because the maps are such small writing they are hard to read.


Tonite I am off to the Mens basketball, hopefully the Australians can play better tonite and beat Argentine, if they don't they won't make the quarter finals, also tonite I will see the USA play Angola, which will be a very one sided game.


The security is fairly strict going into the events, they wouldn't let me take in an empty water bottle and even my eye drops bottle, you can't take in any food or drink but they are cheap to buy.


Roger


Sunday, August 10, 2008

My first run in China, at the Basketball


This morning I did my first run in China, I managed to find a large city block that contains a big garden/park, I couldn't run in the park - you have to pay for that, so I just ran around it. Went out at 6am for about an hour and it was still quite warm & humid, I came back quite soaking.

Just wanted to point out that the breakfast buffet at the hotel is great, you can fill up with food and then I don't have to eat much during the day and then have a good dinner.

This afternoon I went the basketball, a guy had a spare ticket and because I couldn't see the aussies tonite I thought why not, Spain beat Greece 81-66, a fairly scrappy game and they are suppose to be the threats to the USA (now way). Then I saw Lithuania win narrowly over Argentina 79-75 after blowing a 11 point lead with 4 mins to go, they are both in Australia's group and they were both ordinary and I think Australia could beat both of them but it will depend on which Australian team turns up and they don't choke there way to losses.

We have actually had a bit of rain today quite a few thunderstorms through out the day, its actually better than the stifling heat.

Roger

Saturday, August 9, 2008

The Great Wall of China

I did a day trip out to the Wall today, as with all tourist trips there is standard visit to somebodys shop first, we went via the "Jade factory; some very impressive pices but not my liking. I caught the cable car up to the waall, did about an hours walk along it, lots of steps, ups & downs, very humid out there, my shirt after the walk was just soaking, it would very tough if this section is included in the Great Wall Marathon., very nice lunch provided after the walk, my first real chinese chinese meal, Returning from the wall in the afternoon we had another stop at the local chinese medical clinis with a talk on the virtures of acupuncture, chinese herbs and massages.


I finally have got all my tickets, still a couple of days free, mainly the early ones, I have nothing for tomorrow but might go out to the Hockey at night to see if I can see the Women play Sth korea, my first mens basketball ticket hasn't turned up for tuesday, so I am hoping the tour mob can sort that out. The first mens game tomorrow is a big sell out not because Australia is playing Croatia but its the other game in the session of USA V China, scalpers could get make some money from the USA fans, they will pay big bucks.



Roger

Friday, August 8, 2008

In Beijing

I finally made it to Beijing, flew from Sydney to Singapore in one of the new 380 planes, there were about 30 from the tour group on this plane, very impressive facilities on board, seems more room, flight entertainment very good, I can see why all the airlines what to get one.

Weather was very foggy/hazy when we flew in, wasn't really smog, it was white not dirty looking that I have seen on TV, very warm already at 8am, standing around waiting for our bus to take us to the Hotel you started to feel it, I wore my Kathmandu pants that have the zip of legs, so they were zipped off pretty quickly and won't get a guernsey until I fly back.

Our Group is in 2 hotels that are joined together, I am in the older of the 2, room has reasonable facilities, from what I have heard from other people and even at the Athletes village, I don't think China has heard of 'soft' beds, mine is fairly firm, but with long days coming up I think I will still sleep well. There is an internet cable in the room, so that is great to keep in touch with the world.

Tonite I am off to the opening games party at the Beijing 'Australia House' which is just a large room in one of the Hotels (not ours) that has been setup for all Australian supporters, they will have big screen TVs, sell Australian food (Pies & Lamingtons) and beer, it is suppose to be sponsored by Channel 7, I am told that they may cross to there during the Games.

I haven't got any tickets for the first 2 days but will probably go back to Australia House to watch the Basketball & Sundays Swimming Finals.

Cheerio for now Roger

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Sydney Airport

I managed to make it to Sydney Airport, had problems with the free Internet here about accessing my Blog account, I had to change the password to get in, gremlins as usual. I tried deleting one of the original Posts and I think I deleted the wrong one, it can only get better as I go on.
I board in about an hour I got my usual inner aisle seat, my theory is only 1 person will need to get pass you. I better get thru Customs so I will be off.

Roger