2008 Olympics: Digging a hole to China

U.S. discus thrower Stephanie Brown-Trafton of Galt is keeping a journal about her Olympic experience. Following is Sunday's entry.

Last night the track and field athletes had a party to celebrate the opening ceremonies in Beijing. We were so honored to have a track athlete carry the flag for the USA during the ceremonies. (Lomong) Lopez is a very nice guy and he has a great story to tell. I will always remember the time we encountered the goat on the golf course here in Dalian.

We watched the ceremony, toasted to a safe and successful Olympics with sparkling wine, and had a piece of the Team USA cake that Chef Sacks prepared.

Most of the athletes watched the ceremony in the movie theater on the big screens. As soon as the USA team finished walking into the stadium most of us went to bed. I was not able to walk in the opening ceremony this time around but I had a good time relaxing and watching it from a lounge chair with the other athletes.

I was able to get to bed at a decent time and prepare my body to compete well when I walk out on the track on Aug. 15th.

Today is a regular training day for me and we travel to the throwing facility in the afternoon. One of the coaches, Chaz, was retrieving one of my discs in the tall grass and he fell through a manhole near the back fence. I was stunned at first to see half of his body sticking out of the ground but after he got out and started limping around I had to contain my laughter.

It was just such an odd occurrence and he was actually pretty lucky that a pipe stopped his fall into the hole. No broken bones, no twisted ankles.

A nasty deep thigh bruise and some skin lacerations are battle scars that he can show his grandkids. I told him that his fall was the reason that he came all the way to China. It could have been me out there getting that disc and falling into the manhole. My Olympic dream would have ended right there ... I would not have been able to practice or lift.

Do you remember the joke about digging a hole to China? We think that this was that same hole. He was just trying to find a cheaper way home to the USA ... the express route.

Chef Sacks has prepared an awesome meal for us tonight. The serving lines are so crowded and everyone is bumping into one another to be the first in line for grilled cheese sandwiches. There is an awesome tomato bisque and this reminds me of those cold winter days at home with warm tomato soup and grilled cheese right out of the pan. He has also prepared roasted chicken with a coconut cream sauce and I ask the head Chinese chef for a side of extra sauce. It is marvelous.

After dinner we have a team meeting to tell us about some breaking news in Beijing. Two Americans were involved in an attack by a Chinese man and one of them died. I was a little stunned to hear that the man who died was family of a volleyball coach. It was sad to think that a tragedy happened like that in such a public place.

This kind of act of violence could have happened to anyone and I am actually glad that I don't have to worry about my family members' or friends' safety here in Beijing. All of my family is safe at home away from all of this Olympic craziness. Back to the room for some TV and bed. The Chinese TV has lots of Olympic coverage and it is great to be able to watch some of the different events.