Opening Ceremonies!

Yesterday there was a buzz around the Olympic for the much anticipated opening ceremonies. but of course, we still had to practice. We practice at 1230 and did some running to sharpen up, then we headed back to our rooms to get shower and dressed for the opening ceremonies. The US delegation had to meet outside our dorm at 5:30 to head over to our first stop. All the members of the US that were marching got on busses and were taken to the Fencing hall. We were put in a large room to put the final touches on our Ralph Lauren outfits and take group photos. It was nice to be around just US athletes and be able to enjoy this event as the United States Olympic team. 

While we were waiting there was a big bustle on the other side of the hall... we all thought it might be the president coming in, but no, it was just the USA basketball team! Everyone went nuts for about the next 30 minutes trying to get pictures with all the big stars. Me on the other hand, I got a little shy and kinda just watched from afar. I did take a few pictures of my teammates with Kobe Bryant. I was feeling a bit star struck. The whole atmosphere was just so incredible for me I couldn't get up the nerve to ask anyone for pictures (so I just snuck them from afar!). I did finally get a picture with Lebron James towards the end though. So anyway after the whole excitement of the men's bball team coming in everyone seemed to calm down a little. President Bush then came in to make a speech to the entire US team. His speech was nice... he told us he was proud of our team and that we should go out and win all the gold medals we could. He also said how proud he was to be an American and that we should go out and represent our country well. I think during this time might have been the first that I realized the amazing thing we are all doing in beijing, which I am sure will be the first of many in the next 2 weeks while we are representing our country. (I can't wait to put on our uniform!) OK anyway, back to the opening ceremonies. 

After the fencing hall and all the group pictures we were moved to the national indoor stadium where all the teams were housed before the march. They had huge screens so we could get glimpses of the action that was going on inside the bird's nest. It looked pretty amazing from that. We were then called country by country to march. we were #140 out of 204 countries called so we had a long time to wait. But after we were called we all filtered out of the stadium to wait in a long zig zaging line up to the birdnest. The excitement was building fast. the front of the group had the flag raised up and you could hear the noise of the crowd from inside the stadium. We finally got to go through the tunnel and out onto the track. We chanted U. S. A. the whole way through the tunnel. I don't even have words to describe the thrill. We did our lap around the stadium, I was just taken away by all the cheer and american flags in the stands, it will be something I won't forget for the rest of my life. After our lap we were shuffled into the infield where we just got to hang out and enjoy the rest of the athletes marching until the lighting of the torch. I tried to to mingle with some other athletes and meet some people from other sports and try to make the time pass until China came in for their march... 

Finally the moment we were all waiting for.. the lighting of the torch. No one really knew what to expect we all had guesses of how it was going to be done, but no one could have guess the way they did it. It was incredible. I am sure most of you have seen it on tv by now. Wow I feel like when I am writing this I can't do justice to the experience I just had. 

So now the opening ceremonies are over and now its time to journey into the real reason why were are here... to compete. We play our first game tomorrow against Argentina, our pan american rival. We have practice today at 530 to go over some last minutes things before our big day tomorrow. I think the game will be aired live (which will be sunday morning, 630am EST.) I think it will be on MSNBC, not for sure though. 

I will update again soon. GO USA!!!