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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The Real Fireworks

Fourth of July weekend is meant to be spent licking barbecue off your fingertips, lying on the beach lost in a good book or stuffing yourself with homemade goodies until you burst like a Roman candle. But it rained in New York City this weekend. And I didn’t feel like going far from home. Thank…

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Eric’s Eats: Step Away From the Shack

In this, the second installment of Eric Adelson’s wildly popular column, our favorite foodie offers his devoted readers a heartfelt warning. Eric’s so selfless. He’s always looking out for his fans … Sometimes it falls upon us at the Alyssa blog (TAB, for short) to give a negative review. And alas, it is my duty…

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Goooo … Gators!

Disclaimer: The following is a Facebook-inspired blog entry … In 1994, the year I was applying to college, the University of Florida was voted the number-one party school in the country. I had my mind pretty well set on UF, so I only applied to a few other schools (Penn State, because I was a…

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Cheat Sheet: Gymnastics Trials

It’s Olympic Trials time. So for all you gymnastics fans who will be glued to the tube this weekend, here’s a preview of some of the top men and women to watch. The story’s up now on ESPN.com, but since it won’t be for long, check out the women’s preview HERE and the men’s HERE.…

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