Golden

At some point more details. But for now all you need to know is we won!!

Go Team USA. It was a good night.

Thumbs up for GOLD!!

Calm....

Off day today. Light practice and stretcher for the team just sticking to routine. I had a couple hours in the day so I finished moving out of my digs at the Univ of East London. The subway ride was crowded but eventful. I ran into a group of Korean fans coming from the ExCeL center where they have been doing a variety of sports like fencing and maybe table tennis and other things. A coupe of them were decked out and I loved seeing them support their team like that. They interacted with subway riders and even had a photo session with one of the kids who was watching events with his dad.

Walked around the Olympic Park a little and took in some of the sights, the people and the whole thing. The basketball arena was lit up tonight and it looks great with the shadows and silhouettes of the structure inside. Honestly during the day it is pretty boring but I'm a fan of how it comes alive at night. It's almost two different buildings.

There have been a lot of inspiring performances by American athletes/teams and athletes from GB and around the world. Our beach volleyball team of Kerri Walsh and Misty May won their third straight gold medal, the OT win for the women's soccer team over Canada and each day more inspiring performances. The theme of these Olympic Games in London have been "Inspire a Generation". I know that has happened during these games but each performance inspires the current generation of Olympians to achieve greatness as well. Our team has the chance to both be inspired and also to inspire as we play for Gold tomorrow.

Send your good vibes to the team while they sleep. I have been truly blessed to be along for the ride with such an amazing team and even more, an amazing group of people.

Thumbs up for great opportunities.

Photo 1: crowded tube day at Canning Town tube stop
Photo 2: saying goodbye to my crib at the UEL
Photo 3: Korean Fans living it up
Photo 4: love the dedication. Love the Olympics.
Photo 5: The Olympic Basketball Arena.

W

Game day today. We took on Australia in the first semi of the tournament. Now it shouldn't be a surprise we played Australia. It seems like every major tournament involves us matching up with Australia at some point. They are a very strong team with great shooters, team speed, versatility and goalie play. Despite all that, we played a great game. Had a little adversity at the end there that gave Australia a chance to tie the game on a penalty with one second left in regulation. They hit it to send it into overtime. In the OT our girls came together in a big big way winning OT 2-0 for a 11-9 final and a huge win to send us into the gold medal game on Thursday! Seriously a team effort with incredible moments and characteristically strong team play. So proud of the big win, one more. We get a second shot at Spain after our tie in the group play. Incredible win.

Thumbs up for the "W".

Photo 1: Wenger taking one for the team. Whatever it takes. Just how it is.
Photo 2: the bench celebrates
Photo 3: team
Photo 4: out of order again but the starters enter the game just before the openin sprint.

Down to four

The team beat Italy last night and it was a solid win. Final was 9-6 but they scored a late goal that I won't count. So really we won by 4. Not bad considering the other three games were very close (even of they weren't all anticipated to be as close) and the Australia China game went into a shootout. So we're on to the semis and we play at 3:30 tomorrow (Aug 7). That's 7:30am pacific time. Hope you're okay with that.

Took a stroll through the Olympic park on our way to practice and it was packed. Tons of people just hanging out and there is a grassy area in front of a jumbo tron that has been packed with people. Everyone is braving the weather which isn't that bad but in spurts it'll pour rain then just stop. Great atmosphere. I wasn't sure how the volunteers were going to be as the games wore on. They were amazing to start with tons of life, energy, fun and friendly with an incredible attitude. To my surprise, that has maintained through this point in the games. I imagine it'll stay like that and that's amazing.

Big game tomorrow against Australia. Go USA!!

Thumbs up for the final 4.

Photo 1: the fans have been incredible. Love every one of those people
Photo 2: action shot
Photo 3: the team lined up for intros before the start of the quarterfinal game v Italy. I know the pictures are out of order but my blogger app decided that's the order they should go in and there's no way to change it. I know you guys don't care so much about that. But it bothers me. Enjoy!

McVillage

I just got back from lunch in the Olympic village and I broke down and got Chicken McNuggets and fries. It was awesome. Regardless of where you are, McDonald's is pretty much the same. That's comforting when you know what the sweet and sour sauce is going to taste like even if the packaging is slightly different. A little reminder of one of the most influential establishments to come out of our super-size-me capitalism, our love of quick food and more being better. The more amazing thing is how many of the athletes were also eating at McDonalds. Golden arches.

Last night We watched Jessica Ennis receive her gold medal in the heptathlon. She was understandably emotional, how could you not be with an entire stadium and country singing your national anthem along with you as you watch your flag being raised in front of your home town crowd. The best moment in sport.

Thumbs up! Well done Jess.

Photo 1: Jessica Ennis receiving her gold and being honored by her country and the world.
Photo 2: more pictures with friends, this is Liz who I went to college with, was coached by and coached as well. Incredible to see her.
Photo 3: the velodrome. One of my favorite buildings here in the Olympic park.

Group Played

We finished our group play last night against China. It was a close hard fought game and we came out with a 7-6 win. Because we tied Spain in points for group play tie breaker determined first and second in advancing to the quarterfinals. We beat Hungary by 1 and Spain won by 2 so we will advance second in our group and will play Italy in the quarter finals. The crowd support has been great and last night might have been the best yet. We met friends and family again after the game and it was a beautiful night in the Olympic Park.

On my way to meet up with the USA friends and families I bumped into one of my former players, Fabiana from Penn. She was a MBA student from Brasil. Incredible player and more importantly a great person and life-of-the-party fun (Brasilians know how to enjoy themselves). I hadn't seen her since she graduated in 2003. 9 years! I guess she's living and working in London. One of the highlights of my trip for sure.

Great Britain has had a rough go at the polo venue so far losing a close game, losing a blowout and losing a third game to Italy last night. Through it all they have played pretty well and their crowd support has been great. I've enjoyed being at their games and the fans are really out in force. Many of them have never seen water polo but want to be sure the teams feel the love. It's been a great experience.

Thumbs up for a great win. On to the Quarters.

Photo 1: USA!! Greatest fans in the world.
Photo 2: Team GB getting some love from the hometown fans
Photo 3: Fabiana!!
Photo 4: lights and sights of the Olympic Park after the game.

Friends & Family

Had a good day today. Got out and saw some of the sights.... Kind of. We took a long bus ride to the practice pool. Long bus rides are better on a British double decker bus. Especially if you sit up top.

The pool we went to was nice, you can see a pic below.

Drove back on our magnificent double decker. Had a great lunch and dessert at the village BBQ park. The fudge being served at the Scottish station was basically a sweet delicious hybrid of sugar cubes and caramel. As a whole, lunch couldn't have been better.

I met Tony and his wife Jenny for dinner at the P&G house here near the London Bridge. It's a great place for family an friends to hang out and enjoy some pampering with good food, laundry, spa, barber shop grooming in the "Man Cave" and of course all the USA fans and games you could want. It's amazing to see friends particularly great friends like Tony and Jenny. You can never get enough LeBlanc. Funny story, we stopped to take a picture in front of the American flag up in the P&G house and to get all three of us in it we had to ask someone to take the picture. You've all been there. Only person close was this girl/lady who I tapped on the shoulder holding Jenny's pink camera. She gave me a sort of salty look. Turns out it was Jenna Bush (yeah W's kid). I think she was salty because she thought I was going to ask her if I could get a picture with her. Once she realized I was just asking her to take the picture she was super nice and friendly. She mentioned the crest portion of the house where they have a green screen where you can pose as athletes and Olympians. Funny how much she was like her dad in accent and smile. Pleasantly surprised at how cool she was to us. (Dad, I'm sure you love to hear that). Later in the night we stopped for some paella and Catalan stew from a open air restaurant near the London Bridge. The food wasn't bad and the company was as good as it gets.

Huge thumbs up for friends and in particular friends who are family. My home away from home.

Photo 1: practice pool
Photo 2: the team watching semi final heats of the 50 free.
Photo 3: the team and the rings. The girls are wearing the softball jerseys they were given and this is in support of the USA Softball team.
Photo 4: Tony and Jenny throwing down some Spanish food here in London. Incredible to see them, made my night.

In it

We played Spain last night in a tough game. We went down early 1-3 after the first. Clawed back to tie then go up 9-6. Spain went on a run to end the game and we ended in a tie 9-9. Since it's group play we finish in a tie, no overtime. So that makes things interesting in our bracket both Spain and us have a win and a tie so we just need to take care of business against China tomorrow and see how it all shakes out.

Thumbs up from The Big O.

Photo 1: the teams shake hands before the game
Photo 2: the team just before the opening sprint
Photo 3: just a shot of the Olympic Park and some of our awesome weather.

In the Books

The girls played their first game last night and it was a good one. Well it was high scoring and it was close so for tv it was a good game, of course there are always things to fix and improve but the win was the most important part. We had great fan support and that is a huge thing.

First game of the 2012 Olympic games is in the books. So is Maggie Steffens who lit it up with an Olympic record tying 7 goals in one game!! By far the most in an Olympic debut. Nice job Maggie! Courtney also had an incredible debut with 4 goals of her own. Great combo to lead the scoring.

After the game the parents, friends and families all stuck around to see their team USA women. The game was late so the park was emptying out. Looking around, we had a huge crowd of American supporters.

Love the support and joy the parents and players share when they get to see each other. I feel blessed to be included as a part of so many families on this team. Such a great group.

Thumbs up for the win. Loved it.

Photo 1: after the game. All those people are only a small part of the great support we have. Great for polo.
Photo 2: polo venue lit up at night after our game
Photo 3: view of the Olympic park. Cool colors and proximity.
Photo 4: view in the Olympic village of some of the many flags.

Up and Down

Had a good day today. Took the morning off of practice to go meet my good friend Tony and his wife Jenny at Kings Cross station. I picked up some tickets they ordered and helped them out by delivering them to the station as they passed through on their way to Scotland. It was incredible to see them. I love the two of them and it's such a welcome sight to see old friends when I'm away from home.

Took the free time I had to catch some of the Australia v Italy men's polo game and Hungary v Serbia. The girls team met and after I went to watch the men's USA v Montenegro game. We won by one in a close game that we led most of the way. From there I went to the swim venue to watch some swimming. Caught Missy Franklin winning her semifinal heat of the 100 back. Then watched Nathan Adrian, Michael Phelps, Cullen Jones and Ryan Lochte swim the 4x100. In Beijing this was THE relay of the meet with Lezak swimming the fastest relay split in history to beat the French in a come from behind anchor leg showdown with one time world record holder Bernard. Epic. Well this time around we lost the lead in the last 50m to France and the rolls were reversed. Tough loss for the team. They'll bounce back. Lots more swimming to come.

Thumbs up for the best competition and what it brings out in all of us.

Photo 1: swim stadium from the athlete stands
Photo 2: meeting Tony and Jenny at Kings Cross
Photo 3: Kings Cross terminal
Photo 4: the men's team taking on Montenegro in their first game (and win) of the London games.

Open

The games have officially opened and I have heard mixed reviews of what people thought of the opening ceremonies. I watched on TV like most everyone else did and maybe it's just because I'm here in London but I couldn't get enough of it. Was it the most exciting? No I guess not but who cares? It's the Olympics! I loved the athlete procession. I was completely caught up in the emotion of each country's flag bearer. There was so much pride and they all varied themselves in their own way, some excited and crazy, some stoic and steady. But all of them understanding the accomplishment, appreciating the honor and takin part in an act so pure and simple yet over saturated with significance for that individual, their sport/team, and the country they represent.

And the lighting of the Olympic flame was so cool. I was wondering what the metal horn/flower was that was carried in with each team. Then to see them all collectively arranged and lit before they were raised to create one flame was incredible.

Of course the sense of pride (and all the cheers from the people that had gathered to watch the opening) when the USA athletes walked in was a proud exciting moment. No other way to describe it.

Thumbs up for the emotions of the world as we gather for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Photo 1: Djokavic carrying the flag for SERBIA. He was stoked. Loved it. (My apologies got my polo power house former YUG countries mixed up, thanks to Tasha for the correction)
Photo 2: incredible shot of the rings and the stadium, fortunate to be able to watch the ceremonies with friends, Kami Craig's parents, Ashley, Colleen, and a ton of others all taking it in.
Photo 3: collection of sights near the friends and family house. London bridge, tower bridge. Pretty cool.
Photo 4: Team USA in their opening ceremonies gear waiting to march.
Photo 5: stopped at the borough market for a beer on the street on my way to the USA friends and families house where I watched the opening ceremonies.

Unique

Last couple days have been pretty regular. Just working to get into a rhythm and equally important, not mutually exclusive, beat jet lag and that mid day crash. Just after lunch I feel like I live in a 5 hr energy commercial. Without 5 hr energy.

Anyway things are starting to get into that familiar rhythm with sleep eat practice etc.

Thought I'd share some sights from the last couple days. Mostly venue or site or details from around competition venues. Enjoy.

Thumbs up for the calm before the storm.

Photo 1: beautiful evening at the Olympics
Photo 2: Stratford station tube stop.
Photo 3: custom London 2012 balls and polo venue again.
Photo 4: polo venue
Photo 5: panoramic of the swim center, olympic stadium and water polo arena.y

We have arrived

So we are here. Once we got in to Heathrow, we took a bus to the village. Traffic was bad so it took a couple hours. Team got settled into the village. After that we all went through processing and got a ton of amazing gear. The USOC staff an sponsors were incredible, so welcoming and excited. I know their job can get crazy but they made it a great experience for the team. I know it's not easy to wait on a team of 20 players and staff. Definitely a part of the process that everyone was looking forward to and it did not disappoint.

Next I took the tube to the University of East London where the USOC set up shop with high performance training centers and other athlete services. The room I got is interesting but it's a good setup. The buildings are all circular so the rooms are pie shaped wedges. I am in a suite with 4 other pie dwellers. The bathroom is a little space aged pod with a shower sink and toilet all contained in a white plastic pod. The view from the room wasn't something I noticed until the morning but it I look right over the water that the campus is built on. Really pretty.

That was the end of my travel day (I'm a day behind since I just finished my first full day here so I'll catch you all up tomorrow).

Thumbs up, processing, housing and having arrived.

Photo 1: Team Picture. Outfitted. Swag.
Photo 2: Team processing. What an experience.
Photo 3: cool pic of Tony at the USOC High Performance Center
Photo 4: the view from outside my room at the Univ of East London
Photo 5: inspiring words. We're here.