Well, today is Peter's last event — the 1500 free. Hopefully, he is ready to go and race. HIs goal today will be to make the final heat which is not an easy task at this event. The great thing about the Olympic schedule is swimmers get a day of rest in between the prelims and the finals of the 1500. It's a hard race to recover from. We will be cheering for both Peter and Larsen Jensen to make it in the top 8. Yesterday, the USA missed getting their distance women in the 800 final, which was a disappointment.
Yesterday, we packed up and made our way to the Olympic VIllage to see Peter. Unfortunately, the USOC messed up on the gate list and we were not on it. We called Peter and he did his best to find out why the glitch, but they had already admitted the quota of USA family members allowed in the Village, so we visited with him in the security tent for a few minutes. This is just one of the "red tape" issues that you have to take in stride.
The security at the Village is huge. They have the SWAT team, Chinese army members and bomb sniffing dogs. While we were waiting for Pete, we watched the whole process. Needless to say, we were disappointed so we made our way over to the Bank of America hospitality suite in the pouring rain and had lunch. Next we went to the Pearl Market and did a little shopping. We have all become very good at negotiating prices with the vendors. It is an overwhelming site ... all the booths with pearls, beads, jade, silk scarves and an overzealous local that wants your business. They yell at you, "lady, lady, beautiful lady, you want to buy from me ... you need this necklace." Funny.
Today, we are visiting the Great Wall. We have hired a driver to take us there and are looking forward to viewing this beautiful part of China's history. We are heading back to the United States tomorrow (Saturday) early and will be back in time to see the final heat of the 1500 on TV. When we booked our flights, we did not expect Pete to swim the 1500 here or at Trials. Changing flights, adding hotels and extending our trip was going to be too difficult, so we will now be cheering for the USA and Pete from home.
Thanks to all for the cheering and support, it has been incredible. GO USA!
The VKs
Friday, August 15, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Swimming for Gold
Today, the U.S. team won gold in the 2x400 free relay in world record time. Watching Peter on the medal stand getting gold was really a moving experience. The crowd went crazy!
After the race we had to make our way down the stands to get to the railing so we could give him a hug as he walked by. The ushers have been told not to let anyone down to the railing, but every swimmer's family has been doing it. We didnt get to see Peter after the race because he was going to be tied up with drug testing, which they do on all the swimmers regularly.
Today we went to an authentic Chinese restaurant and had Peking duck, along with some other foods we were not sure of ... it was really interesting and tasty. Tomorrow we will travel to the Olympic Village to visit with Pete and will write and tell everyone what it is like there for the athletes.
Pete doesn't swim again until Friday which is the prelims of the 1500. He will get some well deserved rest for a couple days. Go USA!
After the race we had to make our way down the stands to get to the railing so we could give him a hug as he walked by. The ushers have been told not to let anyone down to the railing, but every swimmer's family has been doing it. We didnt get to see Peter after the race because he was going to be tied up with drug testing, which they do on all the swimmers regularly.
Today we went to an authentic Chinese restaurant and had Peking duck, along with some other foods we were not sure of ... it was really interesting and tasty. Tomorrow we will travel to the Olympic Village to visit with Pete and will write and tell everyone what it is like there for the athletes.
Pete doesn't swim again until Friday which is the prelims of the 1500. He will get some well deserved rest for a couple days. Go USA!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Bronze is a golden moment
Well today was exciting for all of us. Peter made it to the finals of the 200
free. He looked great in the semi heats and posted a time that got him the top
seed. Anything can happen in the finals, but he was feeling good in the water and
we knew he would do his very best to get on that medal stand! He ended up with a
personal best and a bronze medal!
Tomorrow he will swim the final heat of the 4x200 free relay and they are
expected to do well. The awards ceremonies are lovely here and it's hard not to
get a bit emotional watching our American flag raised.
We are getting more proficient about getting around on the subways, but the taxi
drivers are still having a hard time understanding where we want to go ... almost
comical at times. Last night after the meet ended we went out on the plaza. It
was not very crowded and one area had fountains of water that were coordinated with classical music. There were many little toddlers with umbrellas running through the streams of water coming up from the ground in beat with the music. It was a beautiful sight. After the finals tomorrow we will go see some beach volleyball and maybe try some Peking duck.
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free. He looked great in the semi heats and posted a time that got him the top
seed. Anything can happen in the finals, but he was feeling good in the water and
we knew he would do his very best to get on that medal stand! He ended up with a
personal best and a bronze medal!
Tomorrow he will swim the final heat of the 4x200 free relay and they are
expected to do well. The awards ceremonies are lovely here and it's hard not to
get a bit emotional watching our American flag raised.
We are getting more proficient about getting around on the subways, but the taxi
drivers are still having a hard time understanding where we want to go ... almost
comical at times. Last night after the meet ended we went out on the plaza. It
was not very crowded and one area had fountains of water that were coordinated with classical music. There were many little toddlers with umbrellas running through the streams of water coming up from the ground in beat with the music. It was a beautiful sight. After the finals tomorrow we will go see some beach volleyball and maybe try some Peking duck.
The VKs
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Navigating the blog jam
Editor's note: When there's a will, there's a way. The Chinese government has blocked Robin Vanderkaay from getting directly to the blog established for the duration of the Olympic games. The posts you are reading now are because Robin has found a way around the system to get her messages through. Today's posting follows:
Yesterday, Pete swam the finals of the 400 free (which you saw live at home). He just missed the medal stand with a 4th-place finish, but had a personal best and moved from 6th to 4th. President Bush and his family were in attendance and Pete got to meet him after the session. When the National Anthem was played for the 400 IM, it stopped before it was done. The U.S. people finished it by singing without music. Oops!
The athletes here are working hard and are doing great with the change of format from night to morning finals. There's been some illnesses, but hopefully being kept to a minimum. We were able to see Peter for the first time last night. There is an area where the athletes can come out and visit for a few minutes. His goal was to get back to the village, get some food and rest.
The weather is still an issue. It is hot and very humid and it started raining yesterday. We are traveling to the venues by cab and subway and it is crowded everywhere. We've had some funny experiences trying to explain to the cab drivers where we want to go, even with an address card and map, but the local Chinese often intervene and try to help. We've had our picture taken a lot.
Last night, Pete had the prelims of the 200 free. The goal for these guys is to just get in the semi's (top 16), get some rest than take it from there. This morning is the race to make it to the top 8 finals tomorrow. It will be a nailbiter!!
Communicating has been hard and we have had to send individual emails. Blogging, etc from our hotel has been blocked. Some web sites are inaccessible.
Tickets have been hard to come by for swimming. The USOC gives the families 2 for each event that your athlete is competing in, then you are on your own with sponsors, etc. We have been lucky to get tickets for everyone, but we are not sitting together and yesterday watched Pete swim the 400 from the diving well end of the pool. We were there with other families that had swimmers in final heats. Think we were just happy to be there!
Off to more adventures ... hope all is well at home. Go USA!!!
The VKs
Yesterday, Pete swam the finals of the 400 free (which you saw live at home). He just missed the medal stand with a 4th-place finish, but had a personal best and moved from 6th to 4th. President Bush and his family were in attendance and Pete got to meet him after the session. When the National Anthem was played for the 400 IM, it stopped before it was done. The U.S. people finished it by singing without music. Oops!
The athletes here are working hard and are doing great with the change of format from night to morning finals. There's been some illnesses, but hopefully being kept to a minimum. We were able to see Peter for the first time last night. There is an area where the athletes can come out and visit for a few minutes. His goal was to get back to the village, get some food and rest.
The weather is still an issue. It is hot and very humid and it started raining yesterday. We are traveling to the venues by cab and subway and it is crowded everywhere. We've had some funny experiences trying to explain to the cab drivers where we want to go, even with an address card and map, but the local Chinese often intervene and try to help. We've had our picture taken a lot.
Last night, Pete had the prelims of the 200 free. The goal for these guys is to just get in the semi's (top 16), get some rest than take it from there. This morning is the race to make it to the top 8 finals tomorrow. It will be a nailbiter!!
Communicating has been hard and we have had to send individual emails. Blogging, etc from our hotel has been blocked. Some web sites are inaccessible.
Tickets have been hard to come by for swimming. The USOC gives the families 2 for each event that your athlete is competing in, then you are on your own with sponsors, etc. We have been lucky to get tickets for everyone, but we are not sitting together and yesterday watched Pete swim the 400 from the diving well end of the pool. We were there with other families that had swimmers in final heats. Think we were just happy to be there!
Off to more adventures ... hope all is well at home. Go USA!!!
The VKs
Friday, August 8, 2008
Let the games begin
The opening ceremonies were incredible! The Chinese put on an awesome display of
culture and entertainment ... not to mention the fireworks! We ended up watching it
on big screen TV's at the Heineken House with the Dutch athletes and fans. It is
a building that looks like a "mini" Forbidden City. There were parties all over
the city in bars and restaurants, as tickets were very hard to find and also
VERY expensive. We ended up securing all the tickets we needed to watch Pete
swim, thanks to USA swimming and Speedo:) Tomorrow we start the swimming. Pete
swims the prelims of the 400 free. We are excited! The skies have been very
gray, thick and hazy and we hope it clears and we can see blue again.
Let the games begin...
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culture and entertainment ... not to mention the fireworks! We ended up watching it
on big screen TV's at the Heineken House with the Dutch athletes and fans. It is
a building that looks like a "mini" Forbidden City. There were parties all over
the city in bars and restaurants, as tickets were very hard to find and also
VERY expensive. We ended up securing all the tickets we needed to watch Pete
swim, thanks to USA swimming and Speedo:) Tomorrow we start the swimming. Pete
swims the prelims of the 400 free. We are excited! The skies have been very
gray, thick and hazy and we hope it clears and we can see blue again.
Let the games begin...
The VKs
Hello, from Beijing!
Hello from Beijing! We arrived late last night and are excited to be here. The airports were filled with many coming from all over the world to watch and participate in these games. We woke up to gray, hazy skies and it is very warm. Think we are relieved the swimming events will be inside The Cube! The Chinese people are excited about the Olympics and are very accommodating. Peter is trying to get us passes to visit the Village. He said it is a fabulous facility for the athletes and we will be excited to visit. Tonight is the Opening Ceremonies. We will not be attending but will meet with families from USA swimming for a party and watch it on a big screen TV. Tomorrow Pete swims the 400 free prelims (Saturday evening here and Sunday morning in the US). Today we will be trying to secure more tickets to watch Peter swim...swimming tickets are a premium item here:):) Go USA!
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