Final Days and Final Thoughts

It’s taken awhile, but I’ve finally had the chance to gather my thoughts and reflect back on the crazy and exhilarating experience I had in Beijing, and to jot down some notes about how my final week went, which was just as jam packed as week 1!

Of course, one of the biggest highlights was the women’s volleyball team winning the silver medal.

Attending the gold medal match was such a thrill, and Team USA did an incredible job keeping Brazil on their toes. As the No. 1 team in the world, Brazil had not lost a single set throughout the entire Olympics… they were 21-0, and that includes matches against talented teams like China (bronze medalist), Italy and Russia!

Tom’s team found their rhythm and everything came together at the right place at the right time. They weren’t even expected to make it to the semifinals, but they proved they deserved the silver medal and had Brazil scrambling to close out in the fourth set. I’m so proud of them for everything they accomplished as a team, and for an Olympic silver medal that was fought for and won!

Another moving experience for me was getting to meet Lopez Lomong’s family. Toward the end of the Games I had the opportunity to host a press conference with Lopez, his adoptive parents and his high school track coach. The media called it “Meet the Parents,” Rob and Barbara Rogers. What inspirational people! The touching stories just kept flowing as they told the story of Lopez adjusting to living in America:

• Walking him out of the airport on Day 1 and his shock that they owned a car.
• Him expecting to sleep in the “servant’s quarters,” and waiting every day for someone to figure out they had him in the wrong place, as it was too nice.
• Sleeping with the light on for days until his parents realized he didn’t know what electricity was or how to turn on and off his bedroom light.
• In his first high school race, thinking that the golf cart that directed the runners was actually a competitor in his same race – and passing it along the course in his attempt to “win.”
• Lopez’s answer to the No. 1 thing that he loved upon his transition to the United States: parents.
  

The Rogers also shared their own story, which now includes adopting 5 other boys from the Sudan and welcoming them into their upstate New York home, ages 15 to 22. Again, not a dry eye in the press conference room.

Of all the people you cross paths with in foreign countries, there’s something special about meeting up with old friends. My good friend Judy and her mom planned a vacation through China in August, and Beijing was their first stop! Somehow we managed to meet up amidst the crowds at Tiananmen Square, and from there we took in the sites, smells and tastes of a nearby Tibetan Tea House.

It was complete with a cultural puppet show (in Mandarin – very confusing), Buddhist statues and a long tea menu printed on a wooden scroll. I actually had a flower tea, which bloomed in the hot water before our eyes. Let’s just say it was more of a visual treat than anything, as it actually just tasted like water!

Around the same time, Tom’s team was also enjoying some friendly faces from home. In their same gym at the U.S. High Performance Training Center, the U.S. basketball and soccer teams practiced. At one point, all three women’s teams got in a funny on-court scrimmage with each playing their respective sports on each others’ equipment at the same time!

To finish things off, the USOC media operations team had a farewell dinner for our entire staff of 45. It was at a beautiful outdoor Beijing restaurant, ironically named The White House, considering it was extremely colorful and there were no houses in site.

The restaurant was stunning and beautifully lit, complete with authentic Chinese dancers and odd masked men seemingly trying to imitate Zorro.

As it if were Thanksgiving, we went around each table and everyone spoke about their favorite or most moving Olympic memory. I’m not going to say there weren’t a lot of wet eyes. Everyone had such touching stories to share! What made them so unique was each person’s different perspective on what stood out to them.

Just a few that stand out to me…

My coworker Maureen got a call from President Bush and spoke to him briefly before passing the phone to Michael Phelps. But what was special to her in that moment – especially as a mother – was watching Michael’s transformation. He was sitting with fellow swimmers at the time, and he went from a giggling, flirtatious, down-to-earth 23-year-old who was rapping and sending out text messages, straight to a serious, respectful, humble young man, all without missing a beat.

My coworker Lisa spoke about attending the BMX cycling event in its Olympic debut. Our men placed second and third, and her seat was among their parents. She said you never truly understand what the Olympics means until you witness the emotions of a proud, devoted, adoring parent watching a medal be placed around their kid’s neck.

My worker Bob was given the honor of marching with the U.S. Team into the stadium during the Closing Ceremony. He tears up just recounting the moment – the bobs of athlete heads all around as the crowd ebbed and flowed toward the tunnel, the U.S. contingent chanting “USA, USA.” He said entering the stadium was just like an explosion: noise and lights and fireworks and every emotion swelling through his body.

As you can imagine, every other table had equally touching stories. As for me, you’ve heard most of mine by now J. I would have to say it’s a tie between meeting Lopez and the journey of the women’s volleyball team.

But what’s great about the Olympics is that no one story or string of stories can truly do it justice. It’s about bringing the world together for a peaceful event that’s not about politics or conflict – it’s about sport, friendship and solidarity, celebrating our differences and our similarities, getting to know other cultures and customs, and remarkable moments in the pursuit of excellence. To me, the Olympics is bigger than geography and politics. Within its framework, we discuss technology, the environment, human rights, sports excellence, government policies, world records, gender equality, historical landmarks, human pursuits and the world’s best athletes. It’s like a kaleidoscope with the colors of 205 countries all coming together in one place in time, 4.7 billion viewers supporting and cheering their journeys. It is the world’s ultimate celebration!