Day Three: Excitement and Sorrow

Last night, I attended the Opening Ceremonies of the XXIX Olympiad. The first hour was the most amazing feat of choreography, precision, artistry and engineering I have ever seen. This wanabe circus girl was impressed. The athlete precession was long. The torch lighting was the coolest thing I have ever seen. It gave me chills,…

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Beijing Smog Blog

This will be updated frequently, so check back often. It’s the ESPN Climate Blog, live from Beijing! Or, click the “continue reading” link for my most recent post.

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Beijing Day Two: A Few Observations

A bit of the weirdness I’ve noticed in less than 24 hours on the ground … The “grounds” (maze) our hotel is located on are peppered with statues of topless women playing sports. The grounds are also infested with the loudest cicadas on earth. The hotel pillows are stuffed with dried rice. (Q: What’s louder…

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Beijing Day One: … And Everything Nice

Ni hao! Welcome to Olympic City, or the city formerly known as Beijing. A magical city where everyone smiles and opens doors and finds chairs for you to sit on while you are waiting for the bus. A kinder, gentler, nicer Beijing. At the airport, each person I encountered was happy to answer my questions,…

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Those Who Can, Do. Those Who Couldn’t Quite … Write.

In less than 24 hours, I am leaving for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This is the first summer Olympics I’ve attended in person and as a fully credentialed member of the media. (I attended the Torino Games two years ago as a fan and to do some snowboard reporting.) In Beijing, I will file daily…

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Live From LA

Once again, it’s the first weekend of August and I find myself in Los Angeles for the X Games. Counting each summer and winter X Games I’ve attended, and the X Games Global Championship (it was a real event; look it up), this is my 11th X Games. You’d think the event would have gotten…

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Friends on 34th …

Last week, Roxy skier Sarah Burke and snowboarder Torah Bright stopped by the office to take part in our new favorite game show: Friend vs. Reporter. Check it out. And while you’re at it, get into Olympics mode with my piece on BMXer Donny Robinson, which ran in this issue of the mag—along with never-before-seen…

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Circus Dreams

Ever since I can remember, I’ve dreamed of being in the circus. I remember sitting in the audience as a kid, daydreaming about walking the tightrope and swinging from the trapeze. It seemed a lot like my gymnastics classes—only it looked like so much more fun. The only time I have ever wished fame upon…

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The World’s Fastest Interview

Today, I set up possibly the coolest interview I will do this year. It takes place on August 17, in Beijing, about an hour before the final race of the men’s 100-meters. The 100 meters is, without a doubt, my favorite single event in sports. It is definitely my favorite 10 seconds. There is nothing…

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