The Olympics are contagious

By Chris Longo

At the start of the games, Jacob Corrigan wrote a story about Olympic super-fan David Chin, who said: “This will not be someone’s first and only Olympics. They say you catch a bug. You have no choice but to come back.”

Olympic Stadium, Friday, August 10th (Photo by Chris Longo)

As the finals days of the Olympics winded down, I began to understand what Mr. Chin was saying. I can throw out a few sappy lines about having the time of my life in London, but instead I’ll give some concrete evidence. Everyday, whether it was at the venues, in the tubes or at Waterloo station, I found the red maple leaf. That’s right, the Canadians were one of the most visible fan bases at the games, even more so than American fans. Maybe the Americans are a little more discreet about showing their colors, but for Canada – a country who isn’t well known for their summer Olympic prowess – the turnout was unbelievable. I have to chalk it up to the Olympic fever spilling over from the successful 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. 

When I woke up in New York this morning, I had an Olympic hangover. I wished I could do it all over again. This time in my life, with an incredible group of people, in a city like London, truly once in a lifetime. As London 2012 passes the torch to Rio 2016, it’s tough to look forward because I have no idea where I’ll be at that point. If I get the chance, I’ll be there in Brazil cheering on the Americans, the Canadians, the host nation and all the athletes who sacrifice so much of their lives for one shot at glory.

With London still fresh in my mind, I think back to the Michael Phelps press conference I was lucky enough to get into. After Phelps took his final gold, he answered question after question about retiring, then left the future of U.S. swimming to his younger teammates. When the conference was over, Jake and I walked up to ESPN’s Michael Wilbon, one of my favorite sports personalities, to get his thoughts on the London games thus far.

“After 10 Olympics they all start to mesh together,” said Wilbon.

He asked us if we were enjoying our first Olympic experience, then posed for a picture.

“Your first Olympics will be my last.”

With a half smirk, he passed us the torch and walked off into the sunset. Or at least that’s how I’ll remember it.

BMX Cyclist Takes Unusual Route to 2012 Games

By Jacob Corrigan

At the London 2012 Games

London, England - BMX Cyclist Brooke Crain hasn’t exactly taken the most direct path to the Olympics. But she is an Olympian, regardless.

Just days after a crash that severely injured teammate Arielle Martin, lacerating her liver, Crain was selected to compete in her place. Crain, the youngest member of the US BMX squad at 19 and a native to Visalia, Ca is excited to be part of the team despite her route.

“This is obviously not the way I wanted to make the team, but at the same time, I am part of the team,” said Crain. “I am moving forward and going to do the best job to represent Arielle and my country. It is exciting and a dream come true to me. Just to be able to say I have been to the Olympics and been an Olympian is just unreal.”

Photo by Olivia Arbogast. Brooke Crain speaks to media on Sunday afternoon.

Crain found out she was headed to the Olympics just two days before the team left last Wednesday. The team purposely came late because of the long wait until their competition after the Opening Ceremony. Martin’s 27th birthday was on Monday, the day that Crain found out she would join the team, making it even tougher.

“I think the day it happened, it looked pretty bad. We had our moment for her that day and the following days after we found out what happened,” said Cyclist David Herrman. “But since we have boarded the plane, I have tried to put that in the back of my head. I do feel bad for her. She was ready to compete, and this happened and it is unfortunate, but I am here to race.”

With such a short time to prepare for her race, questions have come up as to whether Crain will be mentally ready for the games, especially at such a young age.

“I know for a fact that not knowing until a couple of days ago has played into her favor,” said Head Coach John Herrera. “ I trained her as if she was going to be here.”

Even with the loss of Arielle, Brooke remains excited about the chance to compete at the Olympics.

Brooke’s only communication with Arielle has been through a birthday card she sent her, with Justin Beiber on it.

“She always jokes about how much I love Justin Beiber, so I thought it would make her laugh,” she said.

Crain is set race on Wednesday evening in London and said she is prepared.

“I have had a clear mind,” she said. “Going in it’s whatever happens, happens. I am just going for the experience. So I haven’t been worried or stressing about it. I haven’t had any time to do that.”