Bartolina blogs from Beijing

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.lionsports.net/index.php?pid ... le&id=4057

BARTOLINA BLOGS FROM BEIJING: ENTRY NO. 1

Southeastern volunteer assistant track coach and first time Olympian Erica Bartolina will check in, periodically, from Beijing. In her first entry on www.LionSports.net, the 28-year old pole vaulter describes life in training camp and how a minor accident will keep her out of the opening ceremonies

DALIAN, China - Greetings from Dalian, China on August 6. The original plan was for today to be my last full day here at training camp. After tomorrow\'s morning workout, I was supposed to return to the Olympic Village in Beijing in the afternoon. But today in pole vault practice, I caught the bar on the way down with my chin. It\'s not usually any big deal, but I hit it with some force. Four stitches, a slight concussion and a little whiplash later, we changed my travel plans so I will stay in Dalian to recover for a couple more days.

I know everyone was looking forward to trying to identify me while you watched the Opening Ceremony tomorrow night. Unfortunately, I will be watching it on TV as well. I am really disappointed I will be missing Opening Ceremonies, but I know I have to take care of myself first and foremost. Six to eight hours on my feet in the heat would not be good for me right now. My injury is really not as bad as it sounds and I will heal in plenty of time for my competition on the 16th, but I am sure I won’t be feeling quite up to it tomorrow. Training Camp is much less stressful than staying in the Olympic Village, so it may be better for my performance as well.

This has definitely been a great place to prepare and adjust, physically and mentally. The training has been good, although it is obvious that everyone is a little nervous and on edge. I am excited to get settled in the Olympic Village and walk in Opening Ceremonies on August 8.

I am a bit frustrated because my last vault practice didn\'t go very well, and this one was going mediocre until it got cut short. I think I\'ve been wound a little tight lately, while trying to protect myself from my many emotions, so it is understandable that I am screwing things up a little in practice. I am not the only one dealing with these things around here. I know that when competition comes around, I can still go out there and jump high, even if all my practices are bad. It just isn\'t very good for the confidence. I\'d like to have some good ones.

We went on an outing yesterday to the city center of Dalian, about 1 hour away (it\'s a city of about 6 million). The were a lot of people and shopping malls in a very compact area. They also have the largest underground shopping market in all of Asia. As always around here, security was very tight. Every person had a plain clothed policeman trailing us. Each of us also had a student volunteer as our guide and interpreter. Security is at a maximum because they don\'t want anything to happen to us. It is not dangerous, but to have something happen would be such a disaster
that they are doing everything they can to protect us.

The air was beautiful when we arrived on Saturday, but for the last couple days, the \"coastal fog\" has been so thick visibility was less than a mile. Today was better; clear, less humid and cooler. Notice the contrast in the
pictures. This is a link to the NY Times article.

http://olympics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/ ... alian-too/

I am hoping I can send this email. I am not sure why, but technical issues here limit the number of e-mails I can send.

Anyway, keep sending prayers and positive thoughts my way, I can use them right now.

Thanks,
Erica

[rainbowgirl28]

Entry #2

http://www.lionsports.net/index.php?pid ... le&id=4061

BARTOLINA BLOGS FROM BEIJING: ENTRY NO. 2

Erica Bartolina, Southeastern Louisiana Univeristy's volunteer assistant track coach and Olympic pole vaulter, will be checking in periodically from Beijing. In her second entry on www.LionSports.net, the 28-year old pole vaulter talks about recovering from a minor training injury that kept her from participating in the Opening Ceremonies and watching the event with the hotel staff.

DALIAN, China - Just a quick email to let you all know I am feeling a million times better than I was two days ago (It's now 7 a.m. here on the 9th), physically and mentally. I was really worried about the whiplash, but my neck is really loosened up and they are taking good care of me. I didn't go to a Chinese hospital. We have an American doctor here on staff who sewed me up.

We had an Opening Ceremony watch party last night for all the athletes who couldn't go. I have to admit I was somewhat thankful I didn't have to wear my body out being part of the Ceremony. I really realized watching it how long, hot, and tiring it is for the athletes. They didn't even get to see any of the show. It was a very special experience watching it on t.v. with other American Olympians.

It was also moving watching the Chinese staff here at the hotel. They were very emotional and joyful, and were glued to the screen. They are very happy to be hosting the Olympics all over China, not just in Beijing.

The American Flag Bearer is Lopez Lomong. He was a refugee from Sudan at age 6, and has a moving life story. To read more about him go to http://www.usatf.org/news/view.aspx?dui ... 6_08_33_29

Enjoy watching the Opening Ceremony!

Cheers,
Erica

[rainbowgirl28]

Entry #3

http://www.lionsports.net/index.php?pid ... le&id=4069