A few minutes later, Lauren appears in the doorway of McDonald’s. She’s on the phone, and all Jason and I hear her say is, “I AM AN AMERICAN, SO I NEED MY CARD. I AM VERY UPSET!" She was speaking with the ATM company because the machine had just retained her debit card in the midst of the transaction. It spit out a receipt that had a bunch of Chinese characters on it and then in the corner, written in English was, “Your card has been retained, please call for further inquiries.”
It was 7:45am, and the local place did not open until 9am. The office on the phone told her it would be at least 9:30am before a team could get to the location to retrieve her card, and she should wait near the ATM for their arrival. She plopped down on the outdoor steps and sent Jason and I off to work.
Upon our arrival we learn that our bosses were gone for the day at the women’s road cycling race. We were all on our own for getting interviews. I was feeling good, so I decided to jump on the Jamaican we’d been discussing for a week. Ricardo LYNCH (JAM) is the only Jamaican cycling representative and the first Olympic cyclist from the country since the 1992 Barcelona Games. I did some brief research and sought out his coach, a German who’s well versed in the cycling world. I introduced myself and shook his hand firmly whilst asking for the opportunity to speak with Ricardo during a break or after training. He agreed without much dissent, and I was officially on the schedule for the first training break.
Ricardo LYNCH (JAM) will battle in the Keirin event
Walking over to the bench area, I began to panic a bit. I couldn’t find Ricardo! I resorted to asking the Cuban where he was, to which she responded, “He’s using the toilet.” QUESTION – Why do my stories all revolve around bathroom habits?
Once he came back upstairs, we sat down and settled in. I introduced myself and told him briefly about myself and about the ONS’s purpose. Then we dove into the questions. We talked about everything from where he trains at home, to who the main competition is, and what it was like walking in the opening ceremony. Ricardo is a really patient, genuine guy who is humbled by the opportunity to compete for Jamaica. He was delightful to speak with, and I look forward to seeing him again.
Afterwards I spent a decent amount of time collecting my quotes and information. Just as I was getting a story written out in my brain, Lauren rolls into the ONS office with a big, juicy American smirk on her face. “The Chinese SWAT team just liberated my debit card,” she said.
As the story goes, a van pulled into the parking lot of the bank where she was and a team of men dressed in military camouflage and combat boots spider danced out of the vehicle. They were locked and loaded with automatic weapons the size of the ones guarding the Mao Mausoleum. When they cleared the area, a man dressed in regular business attire appeared with the appropriate keys and passwords to free the POW debit card. By 11:30am, Lauren was back in action at the velodrome with the ATM card in hand.
The rest of the day was less exciting, but I did have the opportunity to further develop my theory about establishing ties with the athletes and coaches in the squatty potties. This time I ran into Jennie REED (USA) in the washroom, and we laughed at the awkwardness of using those toilets in a cycling uniform (full-body leotard type deal). I am convinced that all this cultural bonding time is going to land me the big flash quote one of these days!
Jennie REED (USA) is a world champion in the Keirin
I don't work again until Wednesday, so I'm hoping to find some softball tickets for opening day (Tuesday) and get some much needed sleep!
XOXO
3 comments:
LoL a a squad of heavily armed guards to protect the guy opening the ATM machine that is hilarious atleast she ended up getting her card back. I have to say that would pretty funny to watch a swat team or whatever they were show up at the ATM to get you your card back. I can't wait till they start show more of the cycling events on tv most of the stuff I have been able to watch has been swimming or volleyball So it is good you are able to keep me up on whats going on in the cycling events.
BBJ
:+) :+) :+) :+) You ONS volunteers
I can't believe all the situations you get yourselves into. It makes all this learning more fun than a cage full of monkeys.
I think you found the secret of bonding with the female athletes. No problems with the males.
I am still laughing with you....actually I can just see it all taking place.
Lauren....wow...wishedyou had a video on your ordeal. :+) And just how did you react when you saw the "swat team with the dressed up gentleman arrive". Unreal.
Oh, Kels
You sure are having the time of your life. You are with your "kind" of people .... I don't know if this trip was made just for you or you were made for this trip. :+)
On the more serious side, have you stopped for a second and wondered how much you have given back to all those you gals have dealt with.
keep 'em' coming.
Roxy
Sounds like your having a great time. You've got enough stories for a lifetime no doubt. I've been watching as much as I can, I just can't get enough of this. I can only pray that magically every gang in Chicago relocates to Omaha, NE so we have a chance of getting 2016 here. I hope you get to see some good softball. It's hard to believe this could be its last Olympics. Have fun! -Zach Clark
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