Day 14: Training Begins

Wednesday 23 July, 2008

Today was our first day of training for Flash Quote Reporting (Weightlifting) at the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Gymnasium, finally. Most people have already been to their venues several times, but we finally got to see ours today. It is already in the lockdown phase which means we need to undertake a security check every time we go inside, and we aren’t allowed to take in any liquids, gels or food - which is a bummer because we only get ‘lunchbox’ meals when we are working. Not sure how keen I am on that.

When we first arrived we were greeted by clapping Chinese students, so it was really nice to see that our team was going to get along well. Everyone was exceptionally lovely and they were all really keen to get to know us and what Australians are like.

We didn’t really do much today, other than have a tour of the venue, have a fake press conference, and then go out for lunch at the top restaurant in the BUAA. I had peking duck again, and it was so delicious, coming from someone who doesn’t really like meat. It tastes amazing!

After a feast for lunch we went back to the venue for a bit more stuffing around. We got our schedule for the next few weeks and it looks like I won’t be having too many days off up until the time that our event finishes. Seems like I have a shift every day… woo. Not sure how I’m going to get all this uni work done but hopefully it will all work out ok. I will definitely miss hanging around with my girlies though, we have become very close and it is difficult when you’re all working to find the time to just relax with them.

We cooked up another feast of vegetables for dinner tonight, I think I will be living off them when I’m working, they make me feel so much more energised! Tomorrow I get off, I work Friday, Saturday off, then I’m working right up until the Olympics finish - no weekends. It’s not for long though!