Competion Day 3

This morning, I had breakfast with a few Japanese athletes and a coach. The coach and a decathlete know Brian Yokoyama at Mt SAC really well. We talked about him for a while. It’s really fun speaking Japenglish with them. I just wish I could do more Japanese. It’s motivating me to keep trying to learn. Maybe I can talk Adrienne into living there for a couple of years.

Another fun day of competition. There are always highs and lows for athletes. Some over-perform and some under-perform. Tom Walsh from NZ won the shot put with a great series of throws. Joe Kovacs (USA) finished second, but had a great final throw, but his foot just touched the top of the toe board and it was declared a foul. Every time a British athlete is announced, there are great roars from the crowd. It seems to put pressure on where they either thrive on it or struggle. A GBR pole vaulter had some great clearances where the stadium erupted. Katerina Johnson-Thompson, a heptathlete had good and bad events, but was one of the favourites for a medal here. He ended up 5th. She recommitted to getting things together for next year.

The medal ceremonies continue. Some are reallocations of previous world championships where someone was caught for drug testing and medals were changed. Usain Bolt handled his bronze medal well. The more I learn about him, the more I respect him as a sportsman. He is outgoing, but seems to have a good attitude towards others.

I ran into Amber Campbell. She was always my favourite hammer thrower. She isn't competing here, but is on the Athletes Advisory Council.

We have an incredible spot for filming now. We just wandered into an area that looks like it's for the media. We seem to have established ourselves there. A worker even came up to us yesterday to ask if he could use a power outlet near us. He never questioned whether we belonged there or not. We thought we were about to be kicked out, but as you can see from the photos, we just look like we belong.

The US Team room at the hotel is nice. We are well taken care of there. The room makes me feel like I'm in a music video for R Kelly or someone.

The last video of the intros for field event finals. They sure now how to make them feel special.