January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Bulletins from or athletes in Beijing
We've cut out the middle-man and signed up four of Bermuda's competitors - Kiera Aitken, Roy Allen Burch, Tyrone Smith and Flora Duffy - to bring you the inside track on the Games.
As part of a groundbreaking special feature - Postcards from Beijing - the four Olympians will be blogging regularly on their Olympic experiences.
Their missives will appear on our blog site www.talksportbda.com and we'll publish the best of them in the newspaper.
Today we publish the first three, from long jumper Tyrone Smith and swimmers Kiera Aitken and Roy Burch. To follow the athlete's personal blogs on a day-to-day basis, submit questions or comment on their entries please go to www.talksportbda.com.
A birthday I'll never forget
By Tyrone Smith
Thursday August 7
Well today is August 7, it's my third day here in Beijing in my preparation for the Games and also my 24th Birthday! This will surely be a birthday that I will never forget.
I didn't do anything special just the regular training session and hung out with some friends in the dining hall. Since arriving here I have just been trying to get adjusted to the time zone and it has been a challenge.
The last few nights I have woken up at 5am and not been able to get back to sleep so that's when my days have been starting.
Today I was actually able to get some sleep so I rested until 8:30am!
The people here - volunteers and athletes alike - are all so very friendly and the atmosphere is great.
The one thing I do have to say is all the media attention to the level of pollution here was spot on. I have honestly seen the sun here just once and have yet to see the blue sky. It constantly looks foggy!
I'm not going to let that stop me! Training has been going really well and I am very anxious to compete. I'll be sure to wave to you all at the opening ceremony tomorrow!
Grey skies but everyone is happy
By Kiera Aitken
Thursday August 7
Hi Bermuda!
I'm so excited to be in Beijing. I can't believe that I get to be a part of all this. Everyday I eat in the same cafeteria as the best athletes in the world. And in the pool I am training with World Champions and World Record holders. Yesterday I swam in the same lane as Aaron Peirsol, the men's Olympic Champion in Athens in both backstroke events. During workout I spend a lot of time watching some of the famous swimmers. The pool is pretty impressive. So far everything is going great as I'm preparing for my race. I haven't seen much else in Beijing except the Olympic Village and the pool. The sightseeing will have to wait until after my race. The sky is always grey here, but its hard to get depressed by it because everyone is so happy and friendly. I can't wait to walk out in the Opening Ceremonies tomorrow and for the Games to begin!
Meeting my heroes
By Roy Burch
Wednesday August 6
So far the Olympic experience has been surreal. Living amongst the greatest athletes in the world presents a indescribable feeling. In my few days here I have managed to see and meet many of the major swimming medal contenders. I had the pleasure of meeting the 50 metre freestyle World record Holder Eamon Sullivan and I also met the first African American world Record Holder Cullen Jones who took the time to speak to me about his club team. I find myself taking in all the sights even if I have seen them twice. The atmosphere of the pool has a euphoric feeling that only brings positive energy to the experience.
So far so good.[[In-content Ad]]
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