5:15 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.—that’s the amount of time that we were at the opening ceremonies. Do I second-guess the decision to go? NO WAY!
The evening started out with Team USA arriving in the fencing hall for a message from President Bush and a team photo. It took a while for the president to arrive, so it was nice to get to mingle with the other teams. It was pretty impressive to see the amount of members that encompasses Team USA—I think we had close to 400 members walk, and that did not even include everyone. What was completely unexpected was the entire “Dream Team” arrived shortly before the president did; they were immediately swarmed with teammates wanting pictures. It was amazing to see how they took everything in stride and took pictures with whoever wanted one and there was time for.
Jorge Torres and I were pretty smooth with our attempts to get our pictures. Once President Bush arrived, every individual team had a designated spot that formed a horseshoe. President Bush was going to walk around and get a picture with each team. Basketball was first and we were like 15th, so as the president moved on, Torres and I moved on over to the Dream Team and were able to get our own individual pictures with these guys. It was awesome, and it is great to see that they just wanted to be a part of this special occasion just like everyone else. Once we got that important task out of the way we got our picture taken with the former and current President Bush. I can actually say that I got to shake both of their hands; what a great start to the night!
After about two hours Team USA was moved to the staging area across for the Bird’s Nest. This is where things get a little boring for the athletes; contrary to what most think, we do not get to see the show before the parade of nations. We were put in the upper deck of an arena, and it was so hot. We may have been the best dressed, but we also lost about three pounds from sweating. But everyone was in the same boat. It was a little sad that we did not get to see the show because of the rave reviews, but I have it recorded and that would not have replaced walking out into that stadium. I heard Greece was out in the stadium two hours before we walked in—that is crazy!! I have had people tell me that I got about half a second of airtime with they were zooming in on Tyson Gay. Awesome!
The rest of the night was realizing that I fulfilled my dream. At times it almost brought tears to my eyes, and for some it did. I was seriously acting like a little kid in the candy store running all over the place trying to get as much video and pictures as I could. I wanted to be able to keep this experience with me forever.
Funny little story: Dathan Ritzenhein did the opening ceremonies in Athens, so he knew once you are out on the field you can’t leave. That means no bathroom breaks unless you have a bottle handy or what Ritz brought—a rubber bag that you could pee into, and the pee would turn into a gel. Kudos to him for thinking ahead, and it came in handy for a bunch of the guys. (He had multiple bags.) The funniest of them all was when Abdi got us to form a wall, and he seriously went for about three minutes. When he was done the bag looked like it was going to burst—it was crazy how much came out. I wish I could put up a picture, but it is not allowed.
Obviously the lasting image for me will be the lighting of the torch, and it was great. We could not believe they took him around the entire stadium. I will leave you with this, though: Did this torch lighting top that of the ’92 Barcelona Games?
P.S. My roommate while over here is none other than the U.S. flag bearer Lopez Lomong!!!
August 12th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Matt-
I’m really enjoying the journals. How are the final workouts going over there? Did/Will you do any sort of short time-trial that we can hear about?
Great to hear about the olympic experience. What other events are you most looking forward to?
August 13th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Thanks for the writeup..It’s nice to follow along from the states. Best of luck!!
August 13th, 2008 at 8:30 am
These journals are great. Its amazing to hear the behind the scenes hijinks that you just know is going on.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Teg, thanks for a great write up. that’s a hilarious story about Ritz, great insight thanks for sharing! Best of luck to you and your family in China
August 13th, 2008 at 10:41 am
light it up over there! It sounds like you are having a blast. hope the semi’s go smoothly.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Teg- you’re definitely going to do great things, your the man! It’d be nice to hear about what you’re doing training wise right now
good luck in Beijing!
August 13th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
TS,
I love the journal and can’t wait to watch you in action.
You are living the dream.
Champions!!!
JJ
August 13th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Teg, great journals. My high school cross country team wishes you and the US distance crew good luck!
August 13th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
go get some teg…once in a life time place, the olympics
August 13th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
your journal entries are awesome! Thanks so much for taking the time to write these and share your experience with the rest of us!
August 13th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I agree: Barcelona’s lighting was the best ever….talk about pressure!
Kudos to you for the nice mention about ‘41′ and ‘43′ and for being grounded enough to be awed by what you are experiencing. The very best to you and the other remarkable runners.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Good luck Teg, I have always thought you were an animal on the track. Being stoked on meeting Bush I & II, is slightly lowbrow. I wish he was just “whiffle ball Tony” instead of our president. 41, 42 and 43 have helped decline our country immensely.
August 14th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Matt, we’ve never met but your grandpa Tegenkamp is my uncle Jerry. He’s my mom’s baby brother. Anyway, just wanted you to know your family all around here-Effingham, Brownstown, Altamont-are very proud of you and we wish you the best of luck. Just getting to the Olympics is one heck of an accomplishment. Good luck, and tell your grandpa his “favorite” niece says howdy.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Great to hear you were able to take it all in. I feel bad for the athletes that can’t go because of their competition schedule. Go for broke on race day and tell Lopez that we American Runners are behind him. Lay it out there and make us proud!
Hey WillieNelson: Uncalled for about Bush! This is the Olympics!
August 14th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Inside stories make the Olympics so much more real. Best of luck.
August 14th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
What a great TEAM. What a great sport…What a great country…Nick Symmonds looks right out of “Chariots of Fire”- Fam-what an awesome all round good guy!!!!!
August 14th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Hey Matt,
We wanted to wish you the best of luck at the Olympics. We’ll be cheering for you from NEBRASKA!!!
Friends of Ashley and Marc,
Jaci, Jeff, Joe, Jackson, and Jenna.
PS. Ashley had you sign the Nike cards for my kids….thanks for doing that!!!
August 15th, 2008 at 3:34 am
I agree completely about not mentioning Bush. Especially since all countries at war ae supposed to lay down there weapons for the duration of the games. The olympics are about peace through sport, not nationalistic pride through competition. Once again, “Go Teg! We are pulling for you.”