Day Six: A Golden Day

This morning, I went to my first swimming event. I’ve been dying to get inside the Cube ever since I saw the first photos of the arena months ago. It looked like such a cool place to watch swimming. Well, it was. Especially the way I experienced it: sitting 14 rows from the pool with…

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Day Five: Fun Day

Since I arrived in Beijing four days ago, my friends, family and co-workers have asked me one question repeatedly: Are you having fun? It has been a difficult question to answer. Yes, I am having an experience. Yes, I am excited and grateful to be here. Yes, I am enjoying the events and the infinity…

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Day Four: Sunday, Sunday

This morning, I experienced my first Beijing rain (it lasted about 15 minutes and no, it did not clear up the air) and spent several hours watching women’s gymnastics. Check out my story. Plus, few observations … * The Chinese gymnasts are too small. One girl’s bio lists her at 68 pounds; the average weight…

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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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