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March 1, 2010

A very long day of travel.  Did get some sleep on the flights.  Marlo and Kelsey met me at the airport, ringing a cowbell!  The best part of all of these extended trips I’ve made to cover US teams is coming home… bar none.

I flew in with several of our local figure skaters.  Mar and KJ were able to see Meryl D’s Silver Medal for ice dancing.  That means that they were able to see a Gold, Silver and Bronze!  We helped the skaters collect their bags and headed for home.  I was so tired, I barely remember the trip, don’t worry, Marlo drove.

After a little unpacking, the kids wanted to show me the tape of Closing Ceremonies.  As we ran into the stadium, I happened to be near Apolo and Shani, so they said I got a little face time on TV.  That was nice, but I wanted to know if Chile marched.

You see, on Sunday morning in the dining hall, the Chilean Chef de Mission stopped at our table to ask Eric Heiden a question.  He wanted Eric’s opinion on whether Chile should march in Closing Ceremonies in light of the earthquake that struck his country.  Eric thought definitely that they should, but they should acknowledge it in some way, like black arm bands.  The problem was, unlike Opening Ceremonies in which individual countries enter alone, in Closing, it is more of a mass entrance.  For this reason, it would be difficult to notice the statement.  He then turned to me and asked “what do you think.”  I agreed that they should march.  My thought was that the flag bearers come in before the athletes, and putting a black arm band on their flag bearer and having them carry the flag in a lowered fashion might make the appropriate statement.  He said “I like it, if the IOC says no, then we won’t march.”   It wasn’t until I watched the tape a few minutes ago that I saw what they decided to do.  

Just one of hundreds of special moments.

What will I remember most?  What will you?  Hope you enjoyed the updates.  I’m looking forward to London 2012… Amazing Awaits! 

March 1, 2010 

Sunday morning was spent cleaning up the medical room and packing the last few boxes while we all thought about heading home.  Only two things remained, the Gold Medal men’s ice hockey game and Closing Ceremonies.

The game was outstanding despite the outcome.  Who could have asked for anything better than an overtime thriller?  It was easily the loudest venue I’ve ever been in… and only a small percentage was cheering for the red, white and blue.  We made our noise though when we tied the score with under a minute left only to be heartbroken in the extra period. 

From there we had to rush back to the Village to get changed for Closing Ceremonies.  Into the RL gear again and off to BC place.  The behind the scenes part was long but fun.  Talked about what had taken place over the prior two weeks, took lots of pictures and said some goodbyes.  This time, we were some of the first in line to get into the stadium.  When given the go ahead, it was a near sprint onto the arena floor.  It was thrilling. 

Closing is interesting because it’s a bit of a downer despite being a celebration.  At the end of the show we went back onto the arena floor for a short concert before heading out.  On the way out, the crowd was packed along the edges of the stage, waving to all the participants.  I went over to the side to shake hands with and thank the people who came… they loved it, and so did I!  Some friends quickly joined me and we enjoyed it so much that we ran to the opposite side of the stage to do the same thing.  The mutual appreciation was uplifting after a tiring month on the road. 

By the time I got back and changed, ate dinner, saw a couple of patients and did some final administrative work, it was already 11:30, and I had a 4:00am bus to the airport.  No sense going to bed.  Went out for an hour or so with some of the medical crew, then headed back to the Village to clean up and do my final packing. The medical team was a great group that really came together during the course of the month.  There were headaches no doubt, but when it came down to it, we provided excellent care to Team USA.  I'm proud to have been a part of this medical team and to have been involved with the team of athletes that broke the record for the most medals by a single country in an Olympic                                                                                      Winter Games.

After moving out of my room, I went to the dining hall for one last meal, but the only thing open was McD’s, and they were still serving dinner food.  Not what I had in mind, but it would have to do.  Said some final goodbyes and headed off to the airport. 

United had come to the Village on Sunday morning, so I was able to check in that check two of my bags then.  At the airport, though, I still had one bag to check and then had to get through security.  All I can say is I’m glad I did it early.  Can’t imagine what a mess it’s going to be later in the day.  While walking through the airport, I ran into the Team Canada head coach and assistant GM, both Detroiters.  Had to congratulate them, as difficult as that was.  At the gate, I ran into an old friend, someone I had worked Summer World University Games and the Torino Games with.  Small world.

Now I’m just waiting for my flight time to come around.  I have at least another hour before we board.  

It was an exciting, inspiring month… but I’m ready to go home.  

February 27, 2010

It seemed so far off, then it arrived so quickly.  Some days lasted forever, now they seem like ages ago and I can’t believe it will all be over tomorrow.  How did it go so quickly?  How did I see so much in?  How did I miss so much?  How do you describe indescribable feelings?  How do you explain the emotions you sense in others and feel in yourself?

I keep using words like “honor” and “humbling” and “great” to describe what I’ve experienced, and I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but how can you not when you watch 216 athletes from home, and thousands from across the world accomplish their dream.  

What was the moment today… men’s long track team pursuit race.  As I watched our American team race to a Silver Medal, I saw the past, present and future of the sport.  Believe me, we are in good hands.  Heiden, Hedrick and Hansen.  Five Gold Medals in 1980, five total Medals in 2006 and 2010, and a first time Olympic Medalist.  I was stand with Eric watching Chad skate his last race while Brian completed his first, but not at all likely his last, Olympics.  Another highlight.

Speedy was back in the Village today with his Silver Medal from aerials.  Before he went up to Cypress, he caught me doing one of my "tricks."  Those of you who know me really well know about my balancing act, well, he saw it and wanted to try it.  I convinced him it would be better to wait "until after you medal."  He did, and when I walked in the room, he immediately said, "cool doc, now I get to try the chair thing!"

The rest of the day reminded me that the end of this adventure was near.  Most of the medical team was hoping to get out on this last Saturday night of the Games.  I stayed back with a couple of others and started packing boxes and getting the medical room ready for the Paralympic Games.  Tomorrow we have a team picture, then men’s Gold Medal ice hockey game and Closing Ceremonies.  A perfect final day if you ask me.

February 26, 2010

Another great day for Team USA!

It was a pretty quiet day in the Village today.  It was rainy outside, a good day to sleep in, maybe see a movie.  Curling, Figure Skating and Women’s Ice Hockey are all done competing, so the volume in the medical room is starting to slow down.  We are starting to prepare for our departures as well.

We did have some excitement, with the men’s team earning their way into the Gold Medal game, and our men’s and women’s long track pursuit teams keeping their hopes for Gold alive.  With a bunch of administrative and prep work to do for the close of things, I was unable to get to either of the daytime events.  I was able, however, to make it to short track tonight.

What a night!  Katherine R. won a Silver Medal in the 1000m and the men won a Bronze in the 5000m relay.  That means that all of the short track team heads home with and Olympic Medal!  What could be better for a sport that’s not always a team sport?

I’ve known Katherine since the 2007 Winter World University Games in Italy when she was a young (she’s still young) skater coming up through the ranks.  I’d say she’s made it!  How exciting to think back and remember how far she’s come.  She was kind enough to invite me to her victory celebration at USA House and I couldn’t pass that up.  It’s a little strange, out two nights in a row but hey, the athlete comes first, and if she wanted me there then I guess I was just doing my job.  Good work if you can get it!

The guys relay literally had me on the edge of my seat.  What a thrill to see them medal as well.  It reminded me of Torino 2006 when a very different team also won Bronze and the joy that ensued.  How great to experience that thrill again!

This team has now tied a record for the most medals by the US in Olympic Winter Games history.  A record that will be broken tomorrow!  To be a part of that Team is very exciting and humbling at the same time.

The train ride home from USA House was eventful.  A “well hydrated” young man was voicing some anti-American sentiment and was basically looking for a fight.  I was traveling with another staff member and he and I were both a little anxious about the situation, considering we were head to toe in USA gear.  Many of the other passengers, however, basically set up a wall around us and others started to engage the young man in a verbal tete a tete which drew attention away from us.  Luckily, our stop came up quickly and we exited the train without having to pass by the young man.  No less than 6 people came up to us to apologize for the behavior we experienced on the train, they didn’t want us to go home thinking that he was a good representation of their city or country.

Tomorrow I’ll be at the long track oval to watch the rest of the pursuit competition.  I’ll get to see Chad win his 5^th and final Olympic Medal… it’s just a question of Gold or Silver.  It’s going to be great.  I also get to see our women go for their first medal since 2002, keep your fingers crossed.