WoAi outside the Bird’s Nest, Beijing, 16th August 2008
Adidas has the slogan “Impossible Is Nothing”. Li Ning has “Nothing Is Impossible”. WoAi’s new slogan is “Impossible? Nothing Is”.
To prove the point, despite forecasts of full and overpriced hotels, chaos on the roads and sold out tickets, I went to the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing. Some people plan these things years in advance, booking hotels, flights and tickets for the events. I decided on Wednesday, booked flight and hotel on Thursday, and on Friday night after work, I was on my way, not knowing if I would get tickets to see anything, but willing to take the chance. Swiss James, Neil and John also came along for the ride.
You’d think that with Saturday being the only full day for the other 3 (I stayed an extra day till Monday) we would have got up at the crack of dawn to try to lock down some tickets for the evening, but no, we all emerged from our hotel rooms well after midday, mostly as a result of some pretty heavy partying the night before.
WoAi, hung over, but happy!
Nevertheless, we managed to find two tickets for the athletics that evening (big THANK YOU to Chas for hooking us up) and decided to try our luck on the gate to get another two, so that all four of us could watch some athletics, which we already knew would include the mens 100 metres final. I did wonder how we would decide who got to go if we didn’t manage to get two more tickets, (we did actually had 2 fencing tickets as consolation and insurance) but this proved to be irrelevant as we very quickly managed to secure two more tickets at the gate from a ticket tout (known in China as yellow cows or 黄牛) for about 2500 rmb each (face value was 800 rmb).
We all had to pinch ourselves because we couldn’t believe that in a few hours time, we’d be watching the mens 100 metres Olympic final, while just 2 days before we weren’t even sure if we’d be going to the Olympics at all.
Neil, James and WoAi outside the Bird’s Nest
We probably spent a bit more time than we should have outside the Bird’s Nest taking photographs to show our grand children one day (I don’t actually have any at the moment, honestly!), especially John and myself, but in the back of my mind, all that mattered was the 100 metre final and everything else was just a bonus.
Inside the Bird’s Nest, me and 91,000 other people
The venue itself was very impressive, especially once the sun set and the lights came on. Inside was I suppose, just as any other large stadium, but walking into the arena and seeing close to 90,000 spectators is always quite an experience.
I cheered and waved my British flag any time any British athletes came on, even though to be honest I’d never heard of any of them. Where are Linford Christie and Colin Jackson! I suppose looking Chinese, both the Chinese and British spectators were probably confused about why this Chinese guy was cheering for Great Britain, but I didn’t let that stop me.
Oh my God, I’ve just witnessed a new world and Olympic record!
The mens 100 metres final was really quite something. This was the first time I’ve ever seen athletics live and I couldn’t have chosen a better race to watch as Usain Bolt smashed his own world record to become the Olympic champion in spectacular fashion. Never in my life have I seen someone in a 100 metre final ease off and smile at the camera 15 metres from the finishing line because he was so far ahead of the rest of the group. It really was something special!
Fans taking pictures with the Jamaican team outside the stadium after the mens 100m final.
Later, outside the stadium, the Jamaican team were celebrating in true Jamaican style, singing Bob Marley’s One Love and having their pictures taken by adoring fans. Miss World was also hanging around outside trying to find people willing to take photos with her. I felt sorry for her so I asked James to stand with her while I shot this.
My mate Swiss James with Zhang Zilin, Miss World 2007. She wanted a picture with me but I told her not to be so picky and just take one with James.
So all in all then it was a pretty amazing day which didn’t really end there, but I think the after hours part of the day I’ll save for tomorrow ….
August 19th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
sounds incredible!
August 19th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Wow, sounds like fun! Miss world is undeniably a hottie, and I can’t see why more people didn’t get a photo.
What kind of camera did you use? Those pics look great.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Angie – It was!
Maxie – I used a Canon 5D, which is a DSLR (digital SLR). And yes, Zhang Zelin is pretty hot, as you’d expect from Miss World, but she was also very nice, not a spoilt diva at all and was happy to be photographed with anyone who wanted a picture until her manager came and dragged her away.
August 19th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Looks like you had a great time! It was a pleasure to help you out. I’m off there tonight, with what’s left of my voice, to cheer Team GB.
Did anyone get Miss World’s phone number?
August 19th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
that Miss World- she slipped her hand inside my back jeans pocket when we were getting the photo. Gave my bum a squeeze and then winked when I left- I tells her straight
“Listen love, I’m flattered, but I’m taken.”
She wasn’t happy, poor thing.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
[...] The whole story at blog.friday-nite.com [...]
August 19th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Amazing Photos and story!
We ended up getting into the Fencing gold medal round USA vs. France. USA got their “Sabres” handed to them. but it was worth the trip.
To bad we didn’t hook up I was there all day on Sunday.
I yelled alot and think i upset the french fans….but that’s kind of what us American’s do….upset the french.
August 19th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
CP – Yeah if you see Miss World there tonight tell her to call me.
Swiss – You are such a heartbreaker.
Matt – I’m equally disappointed you didn’t send the French back home which is saying something considering how I feel about yanks!
August 19th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
unbelievable you made it and nice pics too !
August 19th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
v nice pictures! the ‘yellow cows’ always got the ticket as long as you are willing to pay. so dont worry about ticketing! youve made the right move!
i quite like Zhang Zilin she is a nature beauty.
August 19th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
oh and thought li ning’s was ‘Anything Is Possible’?!?!?
August 19th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
oh oh and woai looks way younger than having grandkids hehehe
August 19th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
No grandkids yet, but woai compensates for this by dating very young girls
More pics please (the stadium, etc, not miss world).
Interesting accent that Usain Bolt. Sounds more Harlesden, west London than Kingston, JA.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Penny – Thanks and yes, pretty unbelievable.
D – Yes, you might be right on the Li Ning thing, but they’re all so similar that’s my point!
Rich – No tripods allowed so there aren’t any pictures that reach my incredibly high standards. I may go back again after the Olympics are over because it should just be open access then. Haven’t heard Usain speak but I guess he may have spent some time down Harlesden way.
August 20th, 2008 at 8:24 am
So you missed out Liu Xiang’s brief appearance then?
August 20th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Adee – That was Monday, we went on Saturday, so sadly, yes.
August 20th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Woai – now i understand why you were so late getting out of the Nest. Miss World!!!! You are officially a bastard! I am officially Jealous!
August 20th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
The hairs on the back of my neck still stand up when I think of Saturday night, I am loving telling everyone I was there. Negotiating Beijing airport Sunday morning after having not gone to bed was less fun, but what a weekend!
August 20th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Wiseman – Yeah she was lovely and you should be jealous.
Bankoker – Yes, a once in a lifetime chance. I’m impressed you made good decision to join us.
August 21st, 2008 at 10:37 am
I see your pic holding the tickets has shown up on Shanghaiist:
http://shanghaiist.com/2008/08/20/buying_olympics_tickets_a_how_to_gu.php
August 21st, 2008 at 11:12 am
RocketShip – Thanks, that’s because the person who wrote that article in Shanghaiist, James (pictured above with some random hot girl), is the same person who came with me to Beijing!
August 21st, 2008 at 12:08 pm
it’s true, I get everywhere
April 30th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
[...] and guess who has a ticket for the opening day tomorrow! I haven’t been this excited since I went to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The camera bag is packed, so pictures and a full report will of course follow …. unless it [...]