Topic: Beijing Updates

[John Thrush]

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick update on how things are going here in Beijing.

The women's team has been training very well.  All look to be in decent shape with over a week to go.  Melanie Roach has certainly been the highlight so far in preparation.  She has been doing PR's in training now for several weeks and is STILL improving.  I'm very optimistic about her chances for exceptional results.

Everything here is pretty much first rate.  Food, accommodations, transportation are all good.  While there is tremendous security, it makes you feel safe and even though it's an inconvenience sometimes, the outcome - a safe Olympic Games - makes it worth it.

The city itself is more interesting than I had anticipated.  There are many trees and flowers everywhere, and the pollution, while hard to believe, doesn't seem to bother most people.  Of course, those in aerobic events may completely disagree.  But I don't foresee any problems with weightlifting athletes.

More later.

John Thrush

[Alex Carter]

Awesome stuff I appreciate you taking the time from being in a great environment to post here. I hope I am able to see all the lifting and I wish everyone luck, represent the U.S.!

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

From John Thrush in the totalitarian and very clever land of the Chinese:

Today we awoke to blue skies and serious heat. It appears the measures the Chinese are taking to clear the smog and pollution from the air might just be working. I can see out the window on the tenth floor where I'm writing this and see a couple of miles in the distance. When we got here, I bet visibility was more like a couple of hundred yards at most. It was unbelievable. But it's so much better it's incredible.

Training today went well again for everyone. Melanie was especially sharp even though her legs were tired from Thursday's hard squat workout. That will be last real squats she will do before the meet. And all of her heavy lifts are now done. We begin to taper now until the competition. The other girls all lift later, obviously, so have some more heavy work to do.

I am more and more glad that I made the trip. Knowing that I was able to get her through this last difficult week was worth all the cost and time. At least I know she is as prepared as anyone could be, and that's pretty satisfying. I wish she had a couple more months to train - I bet she would do some unbelievable lifting if she had more time. But I still fell she will do us all proud and compete at the top of her ability.
More later.

John T.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

From John Thrush in the totalitarian and very clever land of the Chinese:

At this point, Melanie has finished all the hard work. Carissa and Natalie looked good yesterday - I think they are rounding into shape very nicely. Cheryl, of course, is still building up and is looking better every day.

We are doing our training at Beijing Normal University but the group made its way to the official training hall yesterday and what a sight! Seventy five training platforms in a building the size of an aircraft hangar. And the competition venue is excellent, as you would expect. The audience will be closer to the action than normal for big international competitions and the venue has a more intimate feel to it, which in my mind is the ideal thing for weightlifting. Supposedly, all sessions are sold out, so the "joint should be rockin'".

I think all of the girls are really eager to get this show on the road. Melanie is especially antsy right now and would lift right now if she could. Her mental state is the strongest I've ever seen. She is really prepared and ready to go.

John T.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

From John Thrush in the totalitarian and very clever land of the Chinese:

Things continue to move along quite nicely here.  The women are all fully adjusted to this time zone and environment, and all seem to have really good mindsets right now.

The men arrived yesterday and they seem to be in good shape.  Kendrick was amazing in his first workout right after they got here.  Chad looked really good today and I think he will do his best ever lifting.  Casey seems to be in a positive frame of mind and he looks strong.  We find out about him tomorrow (Thursday).

The smartest thing the USOC has ever done was to contract with Beijing University.  This setup is just the ideal thing for our team.  After the morning training sessions, they all come over here and relax away from all the hubbub of the village.  There's a room here where they can nap or read.  There's an athlete's lounge with games and a huge TV for movies.  And the food is first rate - all prepared with athletes in mind and of just excellent quality.  It's just a calm and relaxing environment and perfect for them.

More later.

John T.