Beijing Pride

Today, I started at the NAC at 0830 for pre-competition testing. At 0930, the Doping Control Manager of the venue gave me a ticket to the "Theme Exhibition on Beijing Olympic Games," and was told that I wouldn't be needed until this afternoon. Several of the college students who serve as DC escorts (They notify the athletes of their selection for doping control and escort them to the DC station.) were also given tickets and were told to take me with them. So, off we went: a bus ride and two subway trains to the south of Beijing. The exhibit was very large and consisted of the history of the Olympic Games for China, and how they were first allowed to participate in the Games 100 years ago, and how they aspired to host the games for so many years, before finally getting the selection for 2008. The Chinese people are so very proud to be hosting the games, and the city is so beautifully decorated with so many banners, lanterns and signs. The landscaping is so colorful. It is not uncommon for people to offer their seats to me on a bus or subway; often it is a young woman, and it is against my nature to take the seat, but they will absolutely insist and I realized that it would be an insult if I did not oblige. Most of the young people can speak English, and they often will engage me in conversation when they see me on the bus or subway in my uniform.

We returned to the NAC in the afternoon and were informed that a number of athletes would be selected for testing in the evening during their workouts. In between, we watch the athletes practice - swimming, diving and synchronized swimming. It should be noted that those athletes that have not checked into the Olympic Village yet are still subject to testing. Their whereabouts must be known, and I am aware that WADA has tested athletes in other cities and countries (e.g., Singapore) where athletes have located to acclimate to the time zone and train, rather than to come to Beijing so early. And, we all know the "Dream Team" stays in a luxurious hotel. It will be no refuge for doping control. Sure enough, we had a busy evening collecting blood and urine samples late into the night. The athletes are pleasant and excited. As one athlete walked out of the doping control station, he told me that he hopes to see me again - (meaning that he wins a medal, since all medal winners are tested).