Aug. 2, 2008

While the rest of the Tar Heel football program is sweating through training camp, the normally ever-present Kevin Best is absent. Don't worry, he's got a good--or is that gold?--reason. The Deputy Director of Athletic Communications is in Beijing this month, where he's serving as the Information Manager for all Olympic events at the National Stadium. That includes the opening and closing ceremonies, all track and field events, and the men's soccer final. Kevin will file periodic dispatches from Beijing for THB.com.

Greetings from Beijing! For the next three-plus weeks, I'll be your TarHeelBlue.com correspondent on the ground in China. Provided I have internet access, which right now is a little dicey (rumored to cost $1,000 for the month), I'll be here to give you updates on some of the Tar Heels participating in the 2008 Olympics Games. There are 20 Tar Heels in Beijing and since I'll be based primarily at the National Stadium (aka The Bird's Nest), I get to watch seven Tar Heels in track and field events, including medal hopeful Shalane Flanagan.

TRAVEL TALES

"Will you take the middle seat?"

That was how my day started Wednesday as I embarked on the 13-hour flight to China, which carried us over the North Pole and past such vacation destinations as Ulan Bator, Ulan-Ude and Novosibirsk. No, I'm not making those up. The flight path took us directly over the North Pole and Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

I'm not sure if my Chinese high school seatmate was joking or not, so I quickly said "No thanks," much to his disappointment. A flight of that distance is difficult enough and I wasn't about to give up the aisle seat.

Counting a connection in Washington, D.C., I was in and out of airplanes and airports for 17 ½ hours Wednesday. Upon landing at the sparkling new Beijing Terminal 3, a native said of the weather, "Looks like things have cleared up a little bit since I left." That's not a good sign for the athletes since I could barely see the runway when the plane broke through the smog on our landing.

It also appears to have rained Wednesday. I was told that it never rains in Beijing, unless the government makes it rain by shooting sulfuric rain pellets into the sky in an effort to move out the pollution. Hey, at least they're trying. Recently, the government shut down many of the polluting industries and forced a majority of non-essential automobiles off the streets. It was noticeable on the drive from the airport to the media village. For a city with 17.4 million people, there were remarkably few traffic tie-ups as far as I could see. Of course, with the smog, I couldn't see too far.

The media village might not be what you think it is. It reminds me of living in Teague Dorm in the early 1990s with common living space and bathrooms. At least I have my own room with a great view of the parking lot.

Tomorrow is my first glimpse of the Bird's Nest decked out in Olympic splendor. Should be fun.