Field Hockey

View of Olympic Stadium and Orbit

Today, we finally got to go into Olympic Park!  Our previous events have been at various venues located around London so this was an especially exciting day when we got to finally step foot into the Olympic Park.  After a short train ride, we arrived at the stop recommended by everyone Olympic.  It's quite a hike from the train station to the Olympic park--the signs said about 25 minutes to walk.  Dave and I made it in about 15 minutes.  Along the way, we were greeted by friendly volunteers who cheered us on and offered encouragement on our walk.  We walked straight through security with no wait and we were finally in!  The Olympic park is HUGE- one piece of literature said it was the size of 350 football pitches (that's soccer fields for our American audience).  Once in, it said we had about a 25 minute walk to our venue. We wandered around and looked in some of the shops, got some refreshments and then headed over to Riverbank Arena. 

Orbit

One of the two HUGE McDonald's...the official sponsor of the Olympics

Park Live-where you can watch Olympic events on the big screen

Coca-Cola Beat Box-an interactive multi-sensory pavilion

The OLYMPIC RINGS!!!

We didn't watch the first game (which ended up with a score of 0-0), but we were there to root on USA in the second game-Women USA vs. South Africa (RSA).  Unfortunately, USA stunk up the field and lost 7-0 but it was still really fun to watch.  We had amazing seats and the weather could not have been more beautiful. 

The girls warming up

This man shook his inflatable torches the entire game

Team USA

Penalty Corner...4 girls wore helmets and protective gear in the goal with the goalie

This photographer pulled out his "Flat Stanleys" and took a picture

The water cannons watering the field during half-time

I was fascinated by this girls hair and took about 10 pictures of it...

I thought for sure this was going to be the final score...but no RSA scored one more!

After the game, we headed out and grabbed a bite to eat for our walk back to the train station.  We got home after Jack was down for a nap, but when he woke up, I was able to go snuggle with him for about an hour before he wanted to get up and play.

Up next:  Synchronized Swimming Finals tomorrow!

Badminton

What no volleyball?  No, we didn't end up going to volleyball after all.  A couple members of the Mulley family were under the weather and we made an executive decision to take a pass on volleyball for the well-being of the family.

Wembley Stadium

Wembley Arena

On to badminton! Dave and I made our way to the other side of the world Wembley Arena to take part in some badminton semi-finals (women's) and the bronze medal match (mixed doubles).  Once again, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I got into the sport.  I remember my days in elementary and middle school when we would play badminton in gym class. Well, I was certainly done a disservice!  This sport is way more fun that it ever was when I was in school.  We used to just knock the birdie around and try to keep it going, well the Olympians played with passion, strength, skill and speed.  There was a bit of controversy earlier in the week when a couple of badminton teams were disqualified from the Olympics due to the fact that they weren't trying.  I can tell you that the players we watched were definitely trying their hardest.

Setting up for the next game

matches of the day

China vs. China (a lot of people would randomly shout, "Let's go China")

Mixed Doubles:  Denmark vs. Indonesia

The Danes were INTENSE!

We had so much fun and I enjoyed doing my running commentary throughout the event.  I'm fairly certain that the man on Team Denmark beats his female teammate if she doesn't perform to his liking.   I also noticed that the "wingspan" of Team Denmark easily covered the entire field of play.  It's no wonder they spanked Indonesia to badly!

Next up:  Field Hockey on Monday

Beach Volleyball

Dave and I made our way to Horse Guards Parade so we could see some beach volleyball.  Yesterday, the weather was perfect for some beach volleyball...unfortunately, Tuesday was chilly and rainy.  The weather didn't deter us or the other 14,999 spectators from heading out.  We got there in plenty of time and were greeted by tons of friendly volunteers and very few long lines.  While wandering around the area, we saw the Band of Blues and Royals and Kerri Walsh--she was much taller than we expected!

The Band of Blues and Royals getting ready to entertain the masses

Kerri Walsh was HUGE!

 When we finally decided to head into the arena, we were directed to our seats and were pleasantly surprised by how good they were!

Getting the court all set up

A look at our surroundings (not many people had shown up yet)

Millennium Wheel

Arial view of the stadium which was right next to the Parliament and Downing Street 

The Horse Guards Parade dancers who entertained us between games

We got to see two women's matches and two men's matches.  The men played first and we I was highly disappointed in Brazil who came out dressed for a snowball fight.  I agree that it was a little chilly out and it was raining off and on, but the people came out to see half-dressed volleyball players!  All of the men wore shorts and jerseys, but the women came out in their skimpies.

The boys of the Czech Republic who beat the boys from Japan

The boys of Brazil who beat the boys of Switzerland

The girls of Spain beat the girls of Argentina

The girls of Brazil beat the taped up girls from Germany

The final match of the day (Brazil vs. Germany) was definitely the most intense of the day.  The two teams were so perfectly matched up that I wasn't sure if we would ever get a winner.  The games usually play to 21 points (15 if a third is necessary), but at one point we went way over 30 points.  The crowd was on its feet for quite a while cheering on the girls.

At one point during our beach volleyball adventure the sun even came out.  I even had to put on my sunnies for a while!  The announcer did a great job of getting the crowd riled up and got everyone excited despite the weather.  He had us clapping and shouting "Olé" and doing the wave all around the stadium several times.  The mayor of London, Boris Johnson, even made an appearance--I think he heard the Ameri-Mulleys were going to be there and wanted to see us.

Boris searching the crowd for Dave and I

The thing that has driven me crazy while attending some of the games is how so many people will swing their flags about when nobody from that country is even participating in the event.

I might be able to give the Brits a break...since they are hosting the Games

Australia....not playing beach volleyball that day!

USA...not playing and we certainly don't display our flag that way!

We also happened to be seating by some of the most obnoxious American's in England.  The guy behind us insisted on using the words "cheeky" and "brilliant" at least 10 times in each sentence.  He didn't seem to care that he was using both words incorrectly-he just kept doing it.  I wanted to turn around and say, "You keep using that word.  I do not think it means what you think it means." (name that movie).   We also had a group of four Americans who came in way late and proceeding to chug beer--probably to live up their homemade shirts which read, "USA Drinking Team".  In a matter of about 15 minutes, one girl consumed a pint of beer and then two more bottles of beer.  Along with their homemade shirts, the group had painted what I can only assume they thought were American flags all over themselves.  Little did they know, they actually painted French flags all over their flesh.  No, I did not take a picture of them.  I didn't want to encourage them anymore than everyone else already was.  It's people like this that make everyone hate Americans!

Tomorrow, we are all headed to indoor volleyball!

Table Tennis

Today, Dave and I attended our first Olympic event- Table Tennis.  I honestly didn't go in with high hopes.  I thought it would be interesting since we were at the Olympics and all...but it was AMAZING!  I'm now slightly obsessed with the sport and plan on learning even  more than I did today.  So many superstitions and technicalities that I wasn't able to pick up on everything in just 4 hours.

The arena

All the sports held at this arena

The dramatic lighting when we first got there...caused me to trip up the stairs.

Four tables were in action at once

Basic set up

Flags of everyone participating in this sport

part 2

Cool Olympic table

Olympic mascot teaching everyone the rules of the game

Here are my Table Tennis Superlatives:

Most Enjoyable Match to Watch: Korea (South Korea) vs. Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea).  These two men were amazing to watch.  Some different matches were quite subtle and stuck close to the table, but these men were all over the place.  I'm sure Dave also enjoyed my constant commentary about how if the player from the Peoples Republic of  Korea didn't win he would surely be sold to slavery or completely disowned by his country.

Korea (black) vs. Peoples Republic of Korea (red)

Match Most Like The Bachelorette:  China vs. Turkey.  I'm embarrassed to admit that I watch The Bachelorette/Bachelor and therefor have some knowledge of the show.  When the contestants go out on a date they have to pack their bags in case they aren't given a rose.  When the players from China and Turkey came out to start their match, I noticed that Turkey also had his rolling suitcase with him.  The Chinese player is ranked number one in the world and Turkey must have been made aware that if he didn't win he would have to leave the mansion arena immediately and fly home heart broken.  Well, as luck (or skill) would have it, Turkey lost and he immediately gathered his suitcase and rolled it out of the arena.  My question for you...why in the world would a table tennis player need to bring a giant gym bag, much less a rolling suitcase?  It's not like they have a lot of equipment.  The table, paddles and balls are provided.  They basically just have to show up.

The Infamous Suitcase

Start of the Walk of Shame

Rounding the Corner

And there he goes...without a rose

Most British Table Tennis Player:  Paul Drinkhall.  Okay, well he was the only player from Team Great Britain, but that still makes him the Most British.  While he was playing the crowd went wild.  They stood behind him the entire match and unfortunately, he didn't not advance to the next round.

Paul and his coach (who apparently has a bit of a wedgie)

Paul hydrating

Paul in action

Most Vibrant Uniform:  Slovenia.  When this man walked out, there was a gasp from the crowd as they took in the amazingness of this players uniform.  What was even better was when his coach came out in a matching track suit.  I also really enjoyed that this player drank a drink that matched his lovely uniform.  That is dedication.

Oh yes, turquoise and lime green

Enjoying his turquoise drink

 Biggest Temper Tantrum from Loser:  Slovenia (again).  Singapore mopped up the floor with this player from Slovenia.  It was a complete shutout.  After the match the Slovenian player, kicked his coach's chair after he stood up, then sat on the floor and slammed his fist into his gym bag and threw his towel.  I'm pretty sure Jack is a better loser than this guy.  Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of said tantrum, but here is another picture of Mr. Slovenia:

Before the meltdown began!

Most Impressive Pair of Shorts:  Croatia.  This players shorts got shorter and shorter as the match went on.  I was quite concerned that we were going to see some of his dangley privates by the end of the day.  He just kept pulling them up higher and higher.  Thankfully, this player made it to the next round so with any luck y'all will be able to check out that action.

Check out the rise on those shorts!

Most Television Ready:  The Mulleys. The camera caught us a couple times when they were panning the crowd today.  Obviously, I don't have any pictures..but I'm sure people really enjoyed my snarky face when the people in front of us were raising their American flag..even though the Americans were not even in the Table Tennis event.

ahh, the self-portrait

Tomorrow, we have Beach Volleyball.  I hope the weather cooperates!