The walk from meeting the president to the gymnastics arena.

Inside the arena...waiting to march.

Eventually, it was our turn to go.  The United States of America was on the screen and on the clock, but before we could actually get out of the gymnastics stadium there was more time to stand and wait.  During this time, I was emailing with my husband when he joked that I should ask Kobe to put me on his shoulders when we marched.  Since Kobe happened to be standing behind me, I turned around and asked him if he would do that, so my husband could see me.  He laughed. 

As we moved out into the electric night between the National Stadium and the Bird’s Nest, the hysteria over the men’s basketball team began.  The cyclists were in the back mixed in with these guys, so I witnessed this nonstop attention first hand.  I was actually impressed with how patient these guys were with the swarms of Chinese that were hounding them.  There was very little security provided by these volunteers.

The beginning of the walk between stadiums.

The procession of countries stretched all the way across the parking lot between the two stadiums.  Each nation had to walk through a barricaded pathway that was surrounded by fans from all over the world (mostly China) who had gathered to cheer and gawk.  After this long, slow walk, we finally entered the tunnel under the Bird’s Nest.

The entire US contingent was clumped together in rows of 10, at least briefly, and a spontaneous chant of U-S-A U-S-A U-S-A broke out.  Then, Pat McDonough put his arm around me and reminded me that I was representing America. Between the chant and that comment, the moment of being an Olympian hit me, and I had to hold back the tears.  We had yet to enter the stadium, and I already had chills.

Inside the tunnel.

As we got closer, I began to see into the stadium through the expanding window at the end of the tunnel.  Wow.  It was packed full.  I couldn’t identify anything specific yet, but the contrast between the dimness of the tunnel and the stadium lights, colors, and activity caught my attention.  The energy amongst the US team members was exponentially increasing as well.

With each step forward, I could see more and more of the stadium and more and more details.  The three decks of the stadium were filled to the brim.  There was a very slight haze in the air from the fireworks smoke and activity.  There were Chinese dancers on the infield and photographers and cameras along the outside.  There were flags and people from all over the world.  I was walking in the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games!  My world was almost silent as I looked up and around.  I raised my arm and started to wave.  How cool was this?  I could hardly believe that I was doing it.  I looked for American flags and fans.  When I heard the USA chants, I changed the wave to a fist pump in unison with the chants.  There were photographers, cameras, three levels of people, and athletes strung out all around me.  Wow.

About to enter the stadium for the parade lap.

Then, I was out.  Exit stage right.  Since I had to compete in less than 48 hours, I took the early exit.  I wanted to experience the moment, but I could not compromise my competition.  I went out the opposite end with about 20 other US athletes.  We walked back through the crowds in the parking lot and over to a bus waiting to take us back to the village.  What a night… what another moment!

Check out all the people (and Bobby Lea.)