Just about 2 1/2 weeks left until departure and time couldn't be moving any more slowly. I've thought about starting the mass quantities of packing I have yet to do at times, but it only takes one minor distraction like an instant message or a text to make me forget about being at all productive. Or swimming coverage on TV, of course.
The good news of the week: I have received a confirmation e-mail from NBC Olympics asking if all of my contact information is correct before I receive my final mailing that has my NBC credential and final information with it. The e-mail also, thankfully, included my assigned venue which is, in fact, the pool! It's nice to have it finally confirmed. I'm not just hoping for it anymore, everything is set and ready to go, and I am about to witness the one thing I have dreamt about for so long.
Trials have finally concluded, and for those of you who missed it, well, you missed quite a show! 8 nights of unforgettable celebrations, upsets, world records, and let's be honest, men in bathing suits! There has been so much hype over the new laser-cut Speedo suits that supposedly give an edge to any swimmer who wears them, but I think world records would have gone down regardless of the apparel.
One of the most upsetting points for me was watching Brendan Hansen come in 4th place in finals of the 200m breaststroke when he was expected to easily win (only the top 2 finishers in each event make the Olympic team, but luckily he had won the 100m breaststroke earlier in the meet to secure his spot on the team, at least in that event). The best part about Hansen's story, though, was how he reacted to his finish and commended his two teammates for taking the top two Olympic positions. There are such good stories up all over the Internet now quoting him saying that if he can't beat his Japanese rival Kosuke Kitajima (who, in my opinion, cheated in the '04 Games to win the golds in both breaststroke events and break both of Hansen's previous world records, but no one asked me...), he is going to do everything in his power to make sure that his teammates do. If that isn't just downright heartwarming, I don't know what is. It's such a good reflection upon USA Swimming and everyone involved in it.And of course, the story of the Games, Michael Phelps, was great as always, but he breaks world records like it is nothing. He is a perfect swimming specimen. But the most shocking story of the Trials had to have been Dara Torres, the 41-year-old who qualified for her fifth straight Olympic team in both sprint freestyle events. Considering she's swimming against girls literally half her age, and has been doing so for so long, she has quite the extraordinary story. I can't wait to see her in action in Beijing.
The excitement of thinking that I will be a witness to these great athletes in their highest level of competition is higher than ever right now. I'm actually considering having my dopamine levels checked I'm so antsy to get this started! Okay, so I'm a little kidding on that, but it gives you an idea of just how anxious I am.
For now, let the official packing begin!
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