Beijing Diary Number 4

The Beijing Olympic games will begin later tonight with literally a big bang,fireworks that is, as the Chinese launch a spectacular opening ceremony. They have spent $43 billion in preparation for these olympics and are determined that no protesters are going to spoil their party with 100,000 troops on security duty. Rain is expected later in the evening and that may dampen the occassion a little but the action has begun with the soccer men and women in action. From a Donegal point of view Philip Deignan is in action Saturday in the 252.4k road race and that happens out round the Great Wall on a loup circuit. Fingers crossed all goes well for him as he has prepared diligently and will give it his best. (Picture: Alistair Cragg)


All the athletes and support staff are now here with me in Japan. The last members coming in through Tokyo yesterday and all moving along nicely. Headed to do a pool session with Joanne Cuddihy yesterday in this magnificent outdoor 50m facility. That went well and I would be confident now that she will go to the start line in the Birds nest. Everything else was just routine stuff and I am still doing my hour walk each evening from track to team hotel. (Picture: Derval O'Rourke)


When the last event is complete on Sunday August 24, the last Irish competitor being Mullingar man Martin Fagan in the marathon, what will be regarded as a successful Games? You do continually be asked how many medals but really for us it's performances and that could be translated as 3 or 4 making finals and similarly 3 or 4 in semis. That, take it from me would be a class return for athletics in Ireland. To put that in perspective in 2004, one athlete made a final while in 2000 in Sydney Sonia in 5k and Gillian o Sullivan in walk plus national relay records were really the only stand out performances. And so these questions will continue to be asked and only on August 24 will they be unequivally answered. (Picture: Robbie Heffernan )

One of the opportunities that a training camp environment allows is time to catch up between sessions on the internet with emails, unfinished future planning etc. So right now I am finalising the document for the annual primary schools cross-country and secondary school cross at Finn Valley early October. I really enjoy this aspect of the sport as each year a team of volunteers at the club deliver a track/field and cross country event which is well supported by schools around the wider area. (Picture: Michelle Carey)

Smog continues to be a matter of concern in Beijing while the skies were clear last weekend in recent days the National Stadium cannot be seen from nearby roads while at the Great Wall, 40k from the city, there is a greyish haze. This is despite the authorities taking 1 million cars off the road and 100 factories being closed in an attempt to clear the smog. The Chinese insist that the air is safe to breathe. Hopefully it will improve before athletics action begins on Aug 15th.

Further updates on www.finnvalleyac.com

Patsy Mc Gonagle
Senior/Olympic team manager
Athletics Ireland
0872226112
www.finnvalleyac.com

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