Gymnaestrada 2011

'Twas the night before travel and all through the group,

Ev’ry person was ready to join in the troupe.

All the dresses and costumes were packed up with care

And each ball was inflated with pure Southern air.

There would be no delays getting snug in their beds,

While sweet visions of Switzerland danced in their heads.

And each parent (or grandparent) followed in kind

While dear Cindy attempted to NOT lose her mind.

When out in the gym there arose such a clatter,

She sprang from her chair to see what was the matter.

No burglar was seen – she was thankful and lucky…

In walked sev’ral athletes that came from Kentucky.

They’d driven all night and were high on caffeine

And they wanted to run through the ribbon routine.

As they practiced their steps and equipment exchanges,

They now were assured – no more last-minute changes!

Then what to her wondering eyes should appear,

But eight athletes in sweat suits all toting their gear.

As they marched in by twos, through the doorway they came,

And she greeted and smiled and she called them by name.

“Now Karen! Now Mandy! Now Charlotte and Dede!

On Lani! On Kelli! On Katie and Kiki!

Start stretching, get ready!” we all heard her call.

“We will do this just once if you don’t drop your ball!”

They all spoke not a word, but went straight to the mat.

When the hoops weren’t in place, they were ready for that.

So the music began and they all took their places.

“You better have smiles upon all of your faces!”

The ribbons, they swirled and the hoops, they were sailing,

Their timing was perfect, their movements unfailing.

And when the routine was completed and done,

You just knew they were happy to have so much fun!

Then they practiced the flash-mob and closing routine --

There’d be no surprises or things unforeseen.

While they gathered their gear and got ready to pack,

They got ready to carry it all on their back.

And the Swiss will be pleased that Chattooga has come;

They will know from our colors just where we are from.

As the red, white and blue starts to wave, as they say,

You will certainly hear a loud, “Go U.S.A.!!”

-- Neil Ferguson

Prepare yourselves for a long post.  I have so much to tell you, but I didn't take notes so I hope I don't forget anything.  We are finished with our job at the 2011 Special Olympics World  Summer Games.  I have to say that this competition has been the best ever.  The Greek team that ran the gymnastics venue was amazing!  Not only were they professional, efficient, & organized, but they are wonderful people & good friends.  The word from SOI is that the gymnastics venue looked the best & the competition ran the best of all the sports in the Games!!!  I can't imagine anything that could have been better.

Yesterday, we had finals for Levels 2 & 4.  The judges rewarded many of the outstanding performances with 9s.  I don't have a list, but I do know that the Chinese gymnast got three 9s (including a 9.5) & our friend Christina, from Canada, got 9.2 on ribbon.  The skill level of the gymnasts has improved so much since the last World Games.  I felt like many of the teams were an extension of Chattooga since so many of them have visited us.  & I am really proud of the coaches who have attended our workshops.  They have done an amazing job coaching the athletes!!!    At the end of the competition, all the coaches, judges, volunteers, & athletes did the Zorba dance around the floor.  Then, we had a dance party on the mat, finishing with the Macarena.  Svetlana, the Level 4 Russian gymnast, was dancing beside me.  She didn't know the Macarena, & just when I got her to mover her hips, the coach came & made her leave the floor.  Party pooper!  Then, awards!!!!  The Greek team was so organized, the awards ceremonies ran like clockwork.  Paulette, Lani, Chris, & I got to present some awards.  That was a treat!  All of the volunteers presented the last division.  They stood in a line behind the podium (probably 30 people).  After the awards were presented, the volunteers all got on the podium with the champions.  Then, the judges & other athletes came up. Everybody was smiling, laughing, hugging, & crying.  It was hard to believe the competition was over. 

We had 1 hour between the end of awards & the beginning of the Gym Show, & of course, it's unimagineable that we would rest.  We hopped on the tram & went to get ice cream.  YUM!!!  I have a picture of the huge blobs of the most delicious ice cream you can image.  Put a scoop of chocolate on top of a waffle & pour chocolate syrup over it all.  Heavenly!  We had to run to catch the tram (thank goodness we worked off all the calories!).  Just when we got off the tram at the venue, I got a call asking where we were.  Ana was needed to do some hair & make-up!  The Gym Show was by far the best we have ever had!  8 Greek Gymnastics for All teams performed.  My favorite was a group on skis.  I can't describe it, so I'll have to show you a video.  I think they are going to Gymnaestrada so many of you can see the team there.  The National Group Team performed both routines again.  Perfection!!  They turned the AC off so the air wouldn't blow the ribbons, so the routine was much better than the first time we saw it.  Of course the stars of the show were the Special Olympics athletes.  We had all levels of rhythmic, the compulsory routines with 2-4 on the floor at a time.  The US men did floor exercise & did they ever ham it up at the end, getting the crowd to cheer for them.  Lee, who is going with us to Gymnaestrada, did her Level 3 balance beam routine.  Great performance for Team USA!!!

 I'm sure we ate dinner (when did we ever miss a meal?), but I don't remember many details.  It was a long, but super, fantastic, wonderful, awesome, glorious day!

We got an extra half hour of sleep today!!!  Those of you who know me wouldn't believe that I've gotten up at 6:30 everyday, except the day I got up at 6.  After the last few years of doing Gymnastics for All, it is unthinkable to have a competition without a clinic.  Remember that we taught all the athletes the group routines on our first training day?  Well, today was show time!  We taught everybody the Safety Dance (are you surprised?) for the finale, but my CD wouldn't play on the CD player at the gym.  ITunes saved the day!  We had each team run throught the routine several times.  Ashley, Rosie, & Jessie each had teams to watch.  Ana brought ribbon & we tied the athlete's sleeves up with it - a different color for each team.  I lost track of how many teams Lani & Paulette had to be on.  Whenever we had an odd number, we grabbed one of them & put them on the floor - in a different place each time.  Talk about lifesavers!  Of course, they got purple ribbons on their sleeves!  After all the teams practiced, we did the Safety Dance with the music as a warm-up.  Then - competition! You can't believe how great all the teams did, especially considering the learned the routines in 1 hour a week ago & didn't practice again until today.  We had helpers on the floor for a couple of groups.  The coaches for the young Greek team all wore matching ribbons with the athetes, because they were an integral part of that group.  Great Britain & Ecuador did the new hoop routine we are field testing.  WOW!  They were amazing.  After competition, we got all the groups on the floor to do our finale - Safety Dance again!  There was a group of kindergarten children in the audience who did the whole dance in the stands.  Then, all the athletes sat on the floor & we called up one group at a time for awards.  We did achievement awards (sound familiar?  Gold, Silver, & Bronze) & gave out purple ribbons that I brought from home.  The coaches & athletes were all very proud.  It was so much fun to see all the teams & coaches working together.  Safety Dance again & the rhythmic gymnastics events were really over.  What a fantastic finale to the best Games ever!

I was talking to the judges & our venue team after awards.  2 of the Greek international judges will be on our Special Olympics rules committee.  Also, one of the coaches.  3 of our volunteers, who incidentally have all won Olympic medals in rhythmic gymnastics, came up & asked me if they can be on the committee, too!!!  They will help with the choreography of the routines we will intorduce in 2015 & even said they will do some of the routines on the training video!  Cassie, a former Canadian National Team member & judge at 2 World Games, has also agreed to help with the choreography.  Can you believe it?

Then came the time to say good-bye to the volunteers & our venue team.  I have tears in my eyes now as I write this.  It has been a wonderful experience working with all of them & we are now friends.  As they say, the jobs they did here came from thier hearts.  You could tell.  As I was talking to everyone, Arnetha was busy with her scissors.  Our gym will be well decorated when we come home!  Check out Rosie's facebook page for a preview. Since it's the 4th of July, we all put on red, white, & blue sparkly hats & paraded out of the venue singing Yankee Doodle.

We hopped on the tram & headed to Hard Rock in Glyfada.  Sofia, our competition director, & her daughter came with us.  As usual, it was great fun!  In the middle of lunch, the National Anthem, played by Charlie Daniels on a tour in Afghanastan, came on.  We all stood with our hands over our hearts & watched the video of the US troops.  Was that ever perfect timing!  As is our tradition, we celebrated Lani's birthday & passed the free brownie sundae around the table.  YUM!  Then, we went around the circle & everyone told what they liked most about the trip.  Sofia drove some of the group back to the hotel & the rest of us rode the tram (after Rosie & Ashley detoured to the ice cream shop).  Guess what, when we got to our stop, Sofia met the tram to give us a ride to the hotel!  The only problem with that is we had to say good-bye again.

Now, we are all trying to figure out how to pack everything.  Tonite is Closing.  We will go up on the roof & watch it on TV.  The buses to the airport start rolling out at 3:30 tomorrow morning.

I have to say that we all realize what an honor &  priviledge it has been to take part in the 2011 World Games.  I'm a little in awe of it, actually.  I'm glad we have a day in Zurich to let it all sink in before we are off on the next adventure - Gymnaestrada!!!   I'll bet you can't wait to hear about all the food in Switzerland!

PS - Did I tell you how proud I am of the job Team Chattooga did here?

Lots of awards today!!!  And all the athletes deserved every ribbon & medal they won.  We had 3 sessions of Level 1 (each one finishing 30 minutes early thanks to our great judges), &  then Level 3.  The competition was a dleight to watch!  Ana & Arnetha added special touches to the hair & make-up.  The competition & awards teams worked like well oiled machines.  We saw a video of Lani on the big screen used to post scores.  Paulette marched in with the officials 4 times.  Jessie had clean clothes because she finally did her laundry.  Rosie was at her post on the GMS computer.  & I dealt with the Russians.  I'm sure you want to hear about the athletes.  We had so many well-deserved 9s today!
9.5 on ball -  KaYee Law from Hong Kong
9.35 on ball - Yudeisi Jardines from Cuba
9.05 on ball - Olga Gerun from Kazakhstan
9.15 on ribbon & 9.2 on clubs - Yue Wang from China
The judges surely had to look hard for deductions!  & imagine being the announcers!  By the way - our 2 announcers are Greek Olympians.  I told you we have the best of the best at the gymnastics venue!!
The 9.0 performances were amazing, but Patricia from Bolivia has my heart.  She's competing Level 3 for the first time.  She's hearing impaired & the nicest girl you can imagine.  Today, there was a problem with her ribbon just before her routine & she was sitting in the chair on deck, crying.  The volunteers were encouraging her & then the audience started clapping.  Like a true champion, she got up, walked onto the floor, did a great routine & got a standing ovation.  I'm sure I wasn't the only one crying.  Not just for Paytricia, but for the display of compassion by the volunteers & the audience.  Special Olympics has a way of bringing out the best in people.

We had a treat today between sessions!!!  The Greek National Group team performed - first ball and then, hoop & ribbon.  WOW!!  I'm still speechless, so I won't write anything.  Remind me to show you the video.  It was breathtaking - & brought more tears.

I said earlier that I had to deal with Russians today.  I know it was just their way of asking for information about why their athletes didn't take all the gold medals.  At one point, Fotini & I were talking with the Russian coach & 2 translators.  I lost count, but I think we had a conversation in 3 languages at once.  The jist of it was that they were protesting all the scores on behalf of all the gymnasts.  They said they didn't trust any of the judges.  The bottom line is that there are 2 Canadians ahead of their Level 4, although they never came out & said it.  Tomorrow's competition & awards should be interesting!  Anyway, they filed a protest on 2 scores for their Level 3 gymnast, saying "We were judged unfairly & the scores are not correct."  Needless to say, the protest was denied.  I will say 1 thing - the coach had beautiful white fingernail polish with silver & crystals.

I think this can be called the Games of Officials Behaving Badly.  We have had to remove one judge from the rhythmic panel.  Last night, a couple of artistic judges got into a cat fight at the rooftop restaurant here.  Another judge was sobbing, one left, & the judge from GB tried unsuccessfully to break things up.  Today, men from the venue team literally had to pick up a photographer & remove him from the field of play when he refused to listen & stay in the photographers area.  I wonder what's next?  and I also wonder why these people don't look around & take a few lessons from the athletes.

We went to dinner at what is now our favorite restaurant - the one where we had the gym party.  Maria, the owner, is giving us a special price & special treatment until the end of the Games.  She showed us a full page article in the local newspaper with pictures of the party & interviews with some of the judges.  We had another yummy dinner.  Ana had shrimp on her pasta.  Arnetha is totally disgusted by the way the shrimp are served - with the heads & eyes on them.  So, the devil made me put a shrimp head on the end of a knife & that shrimp really wanted to give Arnetha a kiss on the cheek! We named him Pepe le Shrimp.  OK - you had to be there - but it really was funny!  While we were eating, we heard a car honking the horn continuously.  Guess what it was - a wedding!!!  The cars were all decorated with flowers & everyone was cheering the bride & groom. 
 
All for tonite.  Finals for Levels 2 & 4 tomorrow & then the Gym Show.  WOO HOO!

PS - guess what!!  We found a Hard Rock!!!  We have been afraid to go to the one downtown, but there is one near Ana's hotel.  That's where we are celebrating the 4th of July!   We are going to surprise Ada, the judge from Venezuela, & have her birthday there.  You know what that means - free dessert!!!  Sweet dreams!

True confession time – I have been in tears many times during the past 2 days.  Sometimes from laughing hard, but mostly from watching the Special Olympics athletes compete in Rhythmic Gymnastics.  We had preliminaries yesterday & today.  The scores from this round of competition will count 25% of the total score.  The next 2 days are finals, which will count 75%.  WE START AWARDS TOMORROW!!!  Can’t wait! 

 

I’ve been taking notes the past 2 days in hopes that I can tell you everything.  So – here goes.

We arrived at the gym about 7:00 yesterday.  Ana set up her hair & make-up station & was mobbed as the buses of athletes arrived.  Arnetha, Lani, Chris (whose foot is broken, by the way), & several of the volunteers were drafted to help.  There was a rotation system:  first chair for hair, next chair for make-up, then blush, glitter spray, & earrings.  We had 75 competitors yesterday & were they ever beautiful!!!  Ana brought sparkles for their hair, jewels for earrings, & everything else you can imagine.  She is saving the rhinestones for the faces for finals.  A couple of the girls didn’t come to the “salon” so Ana tracked them down with her glitter.  I have no doubt from the expressions of their faces that they all marched into the gym feeling like princesses & champions!

 

Next, we moved to competition mode.  Arnetha was taping fish hooks (to attach the ribbons to the ribbon sticks), Paulette measured equipment (& found a couple of violations (including a metal ribbon stick that was too short), Ashley, Jessie, & Rosie were judging.  We got a little behind schedule at the beginning, so the venue crew went into overdrive & had the athletes on & off the floor so fast, the judges hardly had time to take a breath (much less a potty break).  The bus schedule is really strict here, so we had to finish on time, which is exactly what we did.  WHEW!  We had 2 sessions of Level 1 and 1 session of Level 3 yesterday.  Let me tell you about some of the athletes:

• The girl from Finland was walking out of the venue a few days ago, layed down on the sidewalk, & said she couldn’t move.  They took her to the hospital by ambulance & discovered she had a dislocated hip.  She’s very heavy & just shifted her weight the wrong way.  The Greeks at the venue said she had surgery, but I think they meant she had to be put to sleep to get the hip back in place.  We were prepared to scratch her from the competition, but she showed up, dressed & ready to perform – with her parents’ blessings & the doctor’s warnings to take it easy.  We held our breath during every routine, but she performed like a champ!
• My favorite from the last World Games, Marilou from the Phillippines, is here again & lived up to all my expectations.  She has the biggest smile & best rhythm of anyone.  She always finishes ahead of the music & dances her way to the ending pose.  On rope, she put her rope behind her neck, like in the routine, & then danced & clapped until the big finish.  Loved it!!!
• Hong Kong has rhythmic gymnastics competitors for the first time.  Imagine a very young girl, who looks like a China doll with glasses, her hair with bangs and 2 long braids.  Then add beautiful dance technique & apparatus skills.  That is Kit Man Chau.  At training, she finished way ahead of the music on every routine & laughed to the end.  In competition, she was absolutely perfect!

I could go on for many pages talking about the athletes.  Let’s just say, we had an amazing competition!

 

Nikos, the equipment manager, couldn’t wait to tell me we had a VIP in the gym.  I asked him who & he said to look in the VIP seating – the man who was just waking up!

 

Now, it’s time to brag again.  We stayed after the competition to do divisioning.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with Special Olympics, the philosophy is that every athlete should only compete against athletes of similar abilities.  So after preliminaries, it is my job to division the athletes.  I look at the scores & put the gymnasts into competition groups, or divisions, according to the scores.  We have no more than 8 athletes per division, because awards go to 8^th place, & in Special Olympics, everyone’s a winner.  I explained my process for Level 1 divisioning to my “slaves” & they helped me division Level 3.  I want them to learn all aspects of running a competition while they are here.  Then, Sofia, our competition director, took Jessie to make judges packets for the next day.  Ashley & Rosie stayed in the gym with Stavros, our GMS (Games Management System – the computer mystery) to enter the divisions.  There are 2 Special Olympics International GMS experts at the venue who told me they are basically on vacation because the local GMS operators won’t let them near the computers.  You can imagine my surprise when I walked in & there sat Ashley & Rosie at the computer.  Stavros said they could probably do it faster than he could, so he took a break.  Jessie & Rosie had homework to do at the hotel – new start lists for Levels 1 & 3.  OK – I have to tell you one more time how proud I am of these girls!

 

The artistic judges had arranged a group dinner at a restaurant on the waterfront – 20 euros for many courses.  It was the most delicious meal we’ve had!  And we left with 6 doggie bags of food for lunch at the gym (to save us from the bread sandwiches).  A perfect ending to a perfect day!  Sorry – I was so tired after I did my laundry that I couldn’t write last night.

 

Today was an equally amazing day.  We had preliminaries for Levels 2 & 4.  When I got to the gym, everyone in the warm-up gym was asking where Ana was.  There was a line at the salon as soon as the bus arrived.

 

We had our first score of 9.0 today!  Not just 1, but three 9s.  Yi Jin, a Level 2 from China, was as close to perfect as I’ve ever seen.  The Level 4 competition was amazing.  We had 5 athletes who consistently scored in the 8s (one girl tosses the hoop, does a front walkover, & catches, etc) and some new competitors who scored in the 5s.  They were all incredible to watch.  At one point, Sofia brought me a pack of Kleenex because I kept crying.  The leotards are georgeous!!!  The girls all felt the music & danced with joy – no matter what their skill level.  How could you not have tears in your eyes?

 

We stayed after the competition to do divisioning & get everything entered in the computer.  Jessie had the prize position today.  I have to tell you that when the 3 girls are around, Spiros will give me any report I want!  It was worth bringing them here just for that.  We had a surprise bonus while we were working!!!  On July 3, we have a Gym Show after the competition.  The judges are choosing Special Olympians to perform & 8 local Gymnastics for All teams (some going to Switzerland!) will do their routines.  The local teams had practice at the venue today.  We loved it!!!  This is too long already, so I’ll let you wonder for a few days about the cool things the teams did!

 

We had dinner at the “chicken on a stick” restaurant again & it was wonderful.  Lani had sausage on a stick (really souvlaki) & we all cracked up when the waiter brought out a giant hanging hot dog.  It was fun to have a Chattooga dinner – with many stories & much laughter.  Ask Jessie about her bad cat sometime!

 

A relatively early night, so we are all planning extra hours of beauty sleep before finals tomorrow.  I know you’re all eagerly awaiting the results!

 

PS – I have to say thanks to all the Chattooga parents who behave so well at competitions.  We had a few behavior issues today.

 

The Norwegians jumped down onto the floor from the bleachers (about 6 ft. high with no steps) & then, hoisted one of their athletes back up to talk to reporters.  It took 3 of the venue staff to get the athlete back to her team.  I later found out they used me (discipline queen) as their threat. 

 

Then, when the whole audience was clapping to the music during routines (which was great!), one of the moms from Costa Rico called Sofia over & told her not to let anyone clapped when their team was on the floor because it broke their concentration.  I asked Xinia, the coach, & she said the clapping was fine.  So, mom took matters into her own hands & went into the audience (kids from a day camp), telling everyone to stop clapping.

 

So, thank you to everyone who stays in the bleachers in their seats during competitions!

 

PSPS – I got a smile from Dasha today – a big one!!!!  The week is a success!

http://www.athens2011.org/en/index.asp

When you click on this link it will take you to the Home Page.  You have to click on Interviews & scroll down. 

Hey - check out this link.  Scroll down & see if you recognize any famous people!

http://www.athens2011.org/en/index.asp

We have been on the run all day!  I went to the gym early to get ready for the start of our competition.  Artistic finished this AM.  All the coaches, judges, volunteers, & athletes did the Zorba dance all around the floor mat.  It was GREAT!!!  There are medals clanking all over the gym & the athletes are so proud of their awards.  Dean, our GB friend, was sick on preliminaries day & couldn't compete, which meant he got zeros on all events (25% of his final score).  He did great in the 2nd round of competition & was so happy to show off his 5th & 6th place ribbons.  I just love it!

Lani & her family went to the Coca Cola venue to meet with a local global messenger.  They had a great time and Lani was a wonderful spokesperson for Special Olympics.

Paulette & her family almost got to sleep in this AM - just one problem.  Paulette got bit by bedbugs.  She has big welts on her legs.  The hotel changed out her mattress & sprayed the room.  Hope they got rid of all the varmints because there are no extra rooms.  They came to the gym for the officials meeting.  Paulette did such a good job of measuring equipment at training she didn't have much to do today.

Because of the strike, Rosie & Jessie had to walk to the gym - only 40 minutes - they're getting in good shape.  They had fun on the cruise yesterday & yes, they rode donkeys!  They helped run the podium training & loaned out our equipment, while I went behind the scenes & took orders for the equipment man to deliver tomorrow.  Ashley worked with 2 other judges to make sure the Level 4 Body Skills forms were all filled out correctly.  Did I tell you how proud I am of all the Chattooga people here?

I have to take back the bad thoughts about the Russians.  They were very nice at the last training & today they brought me lots of presents - including a picture they made of a pepto bismol pink gymnast!  Their youngest gymnast is Dasha.  It is my goal for the Games to make her smile.

We rushed back to the hotel after training, changed clothes, & walked to the Yacht Club for the officials reception.  We were like a bunch of vultures diving into the food - which was delicious!  I saw Elizabeth, my horse friend from Atlanta, who is judging equestrian.  They have over 80 horses that are being loaned for the Games & she said they are wonderful.  Because of the strike, I missed my chance to visit the venue yesterday.

WE START COMPETITION TOMORROW!!!!  So, good night, sleep tight, & DON'T LET THE BEDBUGS BITE!

We had an early wake-up call this AM, even though it’s our “day off.”  Ashley, Rosie, & Jessie went on a cruise.  I haven’t seen them since they returned, so I don’t have a report for you.  I did hear through the grapevine that they rode donkeys!  Ana, Don, & Lani were confined to their hotel area because of the strike.  Don’t feel too sorry for them.  Their hotel is across the street from the beach & down the street from a shopping area.  I think they had a much needed easy day.

 

Paulette & I went to the gym on the early bus.  We took care of some business & then went to the National Training Center to watch the Greek Rhythmic Group practice.  WOW!!!  We saw the end of their ballet class & then watched them practice all the exchanges in their ribbon/hoop routine.  It was wonderful!!!  We went back to the venue & Paulette had an interview about what it’s like to be an official.  Thanks to her, we had lunch in the VIP lounge.  Our standards for lunch have definitely lowered.  We were thrilled to have a little piece of tomato on our sandwiches!  Then, we got to give out awards for artistic men!!!  What an honor!  We watched some of the mens & womens artistic competition, too.  Go USA!

 

We were talking to Nikos, one of our venue managers, & he said tomorrow they have 2 hours to change the gym from REAL gymnastics to rhythmic.  I had to make Paulette hit him!

 

At the end of the day, Ana hired a car to take us to the store that sells rhythmic equipment.  What fun!  You should have seen all the Sasaki glitter balls in the most beautiful colors.  I bought lots of stuff for the gym.  Tomorrow, I’m taking orders & the owner of the store will bring equipment to the venue.  It is impossible to buy rhythmic equipment in South America, so I think the coaches will be thrilled.

 

Tonite - back to the bottom of the hill for dinner & then to the top of the hill for ice cream at our local bakery.  Do you ever get the feeling that all we do is eat or plan to eat?

 

Early day again tomorrow because REAL GYMNASTICS (aka rhythmic) starts in the afternoon.  We have Podium Training as soon as they clear out the junk (aka artistic equipment).  Can’t wait!!!!  

 

Ok – today didn’t get off to a very good start.  We had to get up at 6:00.  Then, a PINK bus came to pick us up to take us to the gym.  Yes – PINK!  The only redeeming thing was that the bus was a Mercedes.  When we got to the gym, the day improved rapidly.  Seems that each day is even better than the one before.

 

Today was training day at the National Training Center.  Starting at 8:00, the teams were scheduled for one hour workouts.  We had 4 carpets & rotated the groups through from one to the other.  Can I tell you how proud I am of Ashley, Rosie, Jessie, Paulette, & Lani?  Ashley, Rosie, & Jessie were each in charge of a carpet.  Paulette measured all the equipment - & believe me – nothing got past her!  Lani was the floater & for 1 hour, she was the coach for Peru.  Ana was there translating for all the Spanish speaking countries (thank goodness).  Don asked Ana what she liked so much about working at the event & she told him “Are you kidding – I get to boss people around all day!”  We needed her badly today as team after team showed up without equipment, with jeweled rhythmic shoes (which are illegal), & looking for information.  We had a very hectic, but wonderful day!  Luckily I had a great team working so I just sat around & ate Greek pastries!

 

Yesterday, Ashley helped teach the group routine to the Greek team.  She told them goodbye as they left.  Today, they arrived at the gym, gave her a hug & said “Good bye!”  Well – the Greek words for hello & goodbye are the same, so they thought they were telling her hello!

 

The athletes were amazing!!!  Several girls did routines so good that I don’t know how the judges will find any deductions.  Others danced their hearts out, whether they did the steps right or not.  Who could find deductions for that?  Glad I’m not a judge!!!

 

We watched the womens competition after work.  The US team did great!  We had a fun reunion with our friends from England.   Ashley arm wrestled with Dean & he won again.  That’s a tradition that’s been going on for at least 10 years.  Rosie met 2 girls from Illinois who have started coaching rhythmic.  Before you ask – yes.  I invited them to come to visit us & have a clinic & competition.  They can come at the same time as Panama (OK – I invited them, too!)

 

We rode the bus back to the hotel & then headed down the hill for dinner on the waterfront.  AHHHHH!  We had to share with a little cat that sat on a pillar by our table looking really pitiful.  He chased off a big dog & a yellow cat, so he’s not too pitiful!  Now, we’re all doing laundry & trying to get to bed because we have an early start tomorrow.  Paulette & I are heading to the gym at 7:00.  Ashley, Rosie & Jessie are going on a cruise.  There is a big strike starting tomorrow.  The only public transportation that will run is the bus service to the Special Olympics venues.

 

Good night.  Sweet dreams.  Treasure your washer & dryer!

What a day! We had to get up almost before the sun to be at the gym by 8 this AM. Most of the athletes didn't get back to their hotels until 3:30 this morning after Opening Ceremonies, but they were real troopers. All but a couple of the teams showed up to learn the group routines. We divided the gymnasts into groups of 4 and taught them either the group ball routine or the new group hoop. I am so proud of Ashley, Rosie, Jessie, Paulette, & Lani for the job they did today!!! Imagine at least 4 groups of Special Olympians who don't speak English & had no sleep last night, all on the floor at the same time learning a totally new routine. The girls & I worked non-stop for 4 hours & had the most fun! Lani & Paulette jumped into any group where we needed an extra person & even took some groups by themselves to teach parts of the routine. They were amazing! & of course, Ashley, Rosie, & Jessie did a great job as usual. Thank goodness Ana was there when all the Spanish speaking teams were working out. She knows all the parts in both routines now - all she needs is a leotard! Denmark has 2 athletes competing for the first time & 2 new coaches, who were very concerned that their girls couldn't learn the routine. It brings tears to my eyes when I remember the looks on the girls faces when they learned the exchanges tossing & bouncing the ball, and also when their group finished the routine with the music. I think their coaches have new insight into the abilities of the girls now. Finland is also competing for the first time. The 2 coaches competed AGG & remembered Team Old from the World Championships - in particular the hip hop part of the routine! They are going to Switzerland so we'll see if they recognize the hip hop part when everybody does it in our Gymnaestrada routine.

We had an opportunity to teach the Greeks some American slang today - pain in the butt. We were dealing with the Russian coaches at the time.

This afternoon, Lani & family went to participate in some of the Games activities. Ashley, Rosie, & Jessie took naps. Paulette & I stayed at the gym to watch the mens competition. WOW!!! You cannot imagine the skill and technique of the Level 4s. Front & back tucks on floor, giants on high bar, multiple handstands on parallel bars - all with near perfect form. Many received 19 out of 20 points. My favorite though was a little guy from Iceland with a poochy tummy & the biggest smile ever - even after he barely made it onto the vault table & did a precarious jump off.

We had dinner on the waterfront again. One man walked out onto the ledge & disappeared for a little while. We know what he was doing, don't we?

We leave at 7 tomorrow morning for a training day, so I'm off to the shower to do laundry the gym trip way - get in the shower with all your clothes on, soap up, & by the time you finish your shower you & your clothes are both clean! Treasure your washer & dryer!

Wish you were all here to share in the fun!!!