|
 |   |
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
In the Village U.S. beach volleyball player Kevin Wong
Periodically, throughout the Games, CNNSI.com will bring you reports from athletes on life in the Athletes’ Village. In this report, U.S. beach volleyball player Kevin Wong, of Pearl City, Hawaii, says that he is trying to decide whether or not to participate in the Opening Ceremonies. When we first got here about a week ago, the Athletes’ Village was quiet and relaxed. It has started to fill up now and the food places are getting crowded, so it’s nice to come down the venue at the beach to get a break from the Village, train and get used to the sand and the wind. The housing sections in the Village are all together. It’s my first Olympics and it’s cool to see all the athletes from different countries, their flags and their sweat suits. I get to room with my beach volleyball partner, Rob Heidger, and we are sharing a house with the USA table tennis team. Right above us are some boxers. It’s cool to talk to all the different guys – and girls. Everyone is really focused on their own events. There is some nice little small talk, but mostly people are preparing for their events.
There is some entertainment, too. In fact, we went and saw a movie down at the cinema last night. It was The Cable Guy with Jim Carrey. It had Turkish subtitles, so there was something for everybody. So far, I’ve been doing okay. The biggest thing that I’ve been dealing with is whether I should walk in the Opening Ceremonies – or not. The Ceremonies are a long process. It is a good six-to-seven hour process. And going through it is not actually beneficial for you in terms of competing in your sport. Spending that much time standing around during the ceremonies can take away from your ability to perform. It can sap some energy. So, that is one of the things that I am juggling right now. I’m sure that my mom would be mad if I don’t walk. But I’m here to play beach volleyball, and not necessarily to walk. The Opening Ceremonies are on Friday night and my first event is on Sunday, so I’d still have a day to rest. But I’m not sure what to do. Every time that I think that I am close to a decision, I flip-flop. I’ve been talking to other athletes and my family. I am not sure what I will do.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
