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| Curling Venue, Team USA vs Athletes from Russia |
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| Snowboard & Alpine venue |
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| too many snacks, USOC sponsor product |
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| Pizza Night for the Opening Ceremony carried by our awesome NPC Assistants |
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| Massage Chairs (we all have enjoyed these) |
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| Bandabi, Megan and I |
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Pictures
Another Day in Paradise
So, yesterday was a day "off". Since the first day of competition (Saturday, March 10th) we have shifted from long days, like 7am until 11pm+ to more of a schedule encouraging staff that is not scheduled to be in the office to get out and support the various teams. I was able to get out to snowboard yesterday for snowboard cross. I wasn't able to stay for the entire finals but it was still fun to be out at the venue, in the sun, soaking up the snowboard culture. In Sochi we swept the podium in men's snowboard cross. All 3 guys were back but unfortunately through qualification, 2 of the guys would end up having to compete against one another in the semis. What a bummer because we have some of the strongest athletes in the world. We did well and won 6 medals total in snowboard cross. In Paralympics, athletes are grouped into different "classifications" depending on their disability so it's more of a level playing field. Every sport is different in terms of the different classifications and it continues to evolve in terms of what is permitted and what is not. Athletes have to be "classified" by both medical professionals as well as sport specific experts but it's not a completely objective process depending on the impairment. I've worked for Paralympics for 3 years now and I still have a ways to go in terms of learning all the different classes within each sport. Some are easier than others, such as judo is visual impairment verse a sport like track & field that have a zillion different classes for the 100 meter dash. Last night I was able to head to a curling event down by the coast. I'm learning more and more about curling each day. A very interesting sport with a ton of strategy and technique.
Today was Day 4 of competition. I'm on the evening shift which didn't start until 1pm so I ran over to the Nordic venue that was about 1.5 miles away. Super easy jog over there in 50 degree weather and bright, sunny skies. Our men were competing in the 12.5k biathlon. One of our athletes, Dan Cnossen, former navy seal, already has won 2 medals and won a third today. Another athlete took the bronze. Super impressive efforts these guys and gals put out.
Today was Day 4 of competition. I'm on the evening shift which didn't start until 1pm so I ran over to the Nordic venue that was about 1.5 miles away. Super easy jog over there in 50 degree weather and bright, sunny skies. Our men were competing in the 12.5k biathlon. One of our athletes, Dan Cnossen, former navy seal, already has won 2 medals and won a third today. Another athlete took the bronze. Super impressive efforts these guys and gals put out.
Saturday, March 10, 2018
Pics
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| Our AWESOME Village Staff with Bandabi |
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| Opening Ceremony Night |
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| Dinner in the Office |
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| Dining Hall |
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| Skiddy, a snowboard tech |
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| Village snow removal |
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| we share a building with Team Korea and their bling |
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| view from my room (14th floor) |
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| Welcome Ceremony the day before the Opening Ceremony-a Nordic athlete with our awesome National Paralympic Committee (NPC) assistants |
This now becomes Paralympic Adventures...
Sorry this took so long folks. Been BUSY! All good though. I've already been here 2+ weeks, crazy. I leave for Vietnam in 11 days, not that I'm counting down but I am looking forward to some fun there as I have a great itinerary planned.
So... left the states on February 23rd arriving on the 24th. There were 4 of us arriving into Incheon a little after 4pm and immediately jumping in a shuttle to take us over to Pyeongchang. We checked into our hotel in Alpensia late that evening and immediately grabbed some food and went to bed. The next day was the Sunday of Olympic closing ceremonies so we ventured over to the Mountain Village and checked things out. For the Olympics there were 2 Villages- Mountain and Coast. The Mountain supported the non-ice athletes such as luge, bobsled, ski, snowboard, Nordic; while the Coastal Village supported ice sports such as speed & figure skating and ice hockey. It was pretty much a blur of activity at the Mountain Village with the final day of competition as well as getting ready for closing ceremonies.
Our first few days consisted of transitioning the Olympic Mountain Village to a Paralympic Village as for Paralympics there is only one village to support Nordic, alpine, snowboard, curling & sled hockey. The rest of our staff arrived on Wednesday to help with this transition- the day the first big snow hit, like 18 inches. We were unable to move into the Village until Friday, March 1st. Upon moving in our space was still way dirty as the cleaning crew was unable to clean the day prior due to the weather disabling the workforce transportation. Our staff quickly went to work hard cleaning our office spaces as well as the Athlete Resource Center (ARC). All I can say is gross:(
Athlete and sport staff arrivals started on Sunday the 3rd and ended the 5th. We would greet all athletes and staff as well as help with bags/ equipment. Got many steps in those days as well as weight lifting with carrying many bags and getting them to the appropriate floors. Team USA is housed in one building on floors 1-14 with one elevator. We stay off the elevators because we do have many athletes in wheelchairs who obviously take priority.
So... fast forward to a few nights ago... Opening Ceremonies... athletes looked GREAT. Fortunately the stadium is close so not to far to transport folks... maybe 2 miles. Some of the staff was able to secure tickets as well. Most of the Village staff stayed behind to watch on TV and eat pizza ordered from the dining hall. Happy people!
Day 1 of competition was yesterday and our athletes ROCKED it with 3 golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze. GO TEAM! We won only 2 gold medals the whole of Sochi so off to a good start.
Today is Day 2 and we have won 1 more gold, a silver and bronze:) You can find results and a schedule here: 2018 Paralympic Games
So... left the states on February 23rd arriving on the 24th. There were 4 of us arriving into Incheon a little after 4pm and immediately jumping in a shuttle to take us over to Pyeongchang. We checked into our hotel in Alpensia late that evening and immediately grabbed some food and went to bed. The next day was the Sunday of Olympic closing ceremonies so we ventured over to the Mountain Village and checked things out. For the Olympics there were 2 Villages- Mountain and Coast. The Mountain supported the non-ice athletes such as luge, bobsled, ski, snowboard, Nordic; while the Coastal Village supported ice sports such as speed & figure skating and ice hockey. It was pretty much a blur of activity at the Mountain Village with the final day of competition as well as getting ready for closing ceremonies.
Our first few days consisted of transitioning the Olympic Mountain Village to a Paralympic Village as for Paralympics there is only one village to support Nordic, alpine, snowboard, curling & sled hockey. The rest of our staff arrived on Wednesday to help with this transition- the day the first big snow hit, like 18 inches. We were unable to move into the Village until Friday, March 1st. Upon moving in our space was still way dirty as the cleaning crew was unable to clean the day prior due to the weather disabling the workforce transportation. Our staff quickly went to work hard cleaning our office spaces as well as the Athlete Resource Center (ARC). All I can say is gross:(
Athlete and sport staff arrivals started on Sunday the 3rd and ended the 5th. We would greet all athletes and staff as well as help with bags/ equipment. Got many steps in those days as well as weight lifting with carrying many bags and getting them to the appropriate floors. Team USA is housed in one building on floors 1-14 with one elevator. We stay off the elevators because we do have many athletes in wheelchairs who obviously take priority.
So... fast forward to a few nights ago... Opening Ceremonies... athletes looked GREAT. Fortunately the stadium is close so not to far to transport folks... maybe 2 miles. Some of the staff was able to secure tickets as well. Most of the Village staff stayed behind to watch on TV and eat pizza ordered from the dining hall. Happy people!
Day 1 of competition was yesterday and our athletes ROCKED it with 3 golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze. GO TEAM! We won only 2 gold medals the whole of Sochi so off to a good start.
Today is Day 2 and we have won 1 more gold, a silver and bronze:) You can find results and a schedule here: 2018 Paralympic Games
Monday, March 10, 2014
Day 4 of Competition
It's Tuesday and the 4th day of 9 days of competition. Yesterday was another tough day at the Alpine Center where all alpine events are hosted. I headed out for a run a little past 10am with our athlete ombudsman when we decided to take the gondola down to Rosa Khutor and run down there. We got in a nice 9K but halfway through while checking out Putin's mansion we saw a helicopter. My immediate reaction was "we should get back in case that's one of ours". Then another helicopter... "this is making me nervous". Sure enough, we get back to the office and two of our female alpine skiers in monoskis had crashed and were both airlifted to the hospital. Apparently they are ok but this is the 4th and 5th athlete to be airlifted to the hospital. I'm still unsure if this is an American thing or if other countries are having as many major crashes as us. The conditions obviously suck but I think our athletes tend to be a little more aggressive than others. Both athletes are fine but did have to stay overnight at the hospital. I've never seen staff doctors work so hard. Lots of back and forth trips to the hospital with our NPC assistants who are sent to drive and translate.
In terms of our performances thus far, we have won 3 silvers and 4 bronzes through day 3. 6 of the medals from alpine events while the other is a nordic skier named Oksana Masters. Oksana also won a silver medal at the 2012 London Paralympic Games in rowing (mixed double). She just started cross country skiing about a year ago. Another female who has won an alpine medal here doubles as a summer Paralympian athlete in basketball.
In terms of our performances thus far, we have won 3 silvers and 4 bronzes through day 3. 6 of the medals from alpine events while the other is a nordic skier named Oksana Masters. Oksana also won a silver medal at the 2012 London Paralympic Games in rowing (mixed double). She just started cross country skiing about a year ago. Another female who has won an alpine medal here doubles as a summer Paralympian athlete in basketball.
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| My run on Sunday down near the Alpine Venue. Note missile launchers in trhe background- no joke. |
A Beautiful Morning in the Mountain Village
So it's Monday morning and a blue, blue sky and likely 50 degrees out already. Day 3 of competition with Super G racing for our athletes staying here at the Mountain Village, some nordic racing over at the Endurance Village and curling and sled hockey down in Coastal. So I included a link below of Tyler Walker's crash in his mono ski during the Downhill event Saturday. Tyler returned from the hospital yesterday and may compete in his remaining events. How amazing is that?!
So I attached the picture of Putin at the Russian Team's Welcome Ceremony. They had a Welcome Ceremony for each country where they marched them into the little plaza square, recognized the country's athletes and the Chef de Mission and then played that country's national anthem. A nice way to welcome all countries for sure. These ceremonies were scheduled at different times. The US had their ceremony Thursday at 4pm along with BG, the Italians and another country which is escaping me now. Anyways, the Russians were the last to have their ceremony at 8pm Thursday night. Rumor around the village was that Putin would be there so myself and my colleague (Dana Schoenwetter) made our way to the plaza at 7:50 to grab a good viewing area. The plaza became more and more crowded as we waited, waited, waited and waited. Finally at about 9:30 he arrived and made an entrance with all kinds of security. Apparently he walked through the dining hall before we saw him where he shook athletes hands as he passed by only he gave the American athletes the snub.
So I attached the picture of Putin at the Russian Team's Welcome Ceremony. They had a Welcome Ceremony for each country where they marched them into the little plaza square, recognized the country's athletes and the Chef de Mission and then played that country's national anthem. A nice way to welcome all countries for sure. These ceremonies were scheduled at different times. The US had their ceremony Thursday at 4pm along with BG, the Italians and another country which is escaping me now. Anyways, the Russians were the last to have their ceremony at 8pm Thursday night. Rumor around the village was that Putin would be there so myself and my colleague (Dana Schoenwetter) made our way to the plaza at 7:50 to grab a good viewing area. The plaza became more and more crowded as we waited, waited, waited and waited. Finally at about 9:30 he arrived and made an entrance with all kinds of security. Apparently he walked through the dining hall before we saw him where he shook athletes hands as he passed by only he gave the American athletes the snub.
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