The three are of David Brown along with his guide Roland Slade. Listen to how they work together to train and now compete.  Jeremy Campbell didn’t mention he was throwing the discus for the Paralympics — so I thought at first it was for the Olympics. It seems he doesn’t want the distinction, in some ways, and is determined to be in the Olympics in 2016 in Rio competing with what’s generally termed the able-bodied athletes.The person who set me straight on Jeremy’s status was Chris Clemens, competing in Track and Field. Jeremy’s story is incredible, too. Hint — he served his country and now he’s competing for the USA. Simply Amazing.

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The second theme: Inspire a Generation. Various BBC reports explored the Olympic theme , and how the country would help encourage and support sports for young people. But the idea is not just for the UK, it’s something that might be  happening organically — theme or not.  They are not just words, or a call to action, but a summary of what the games could do, and are doing.  No matter what generation you are from, you can’t help but be inspired. What’s equally encouraging, is to hear from the little ones and their families who I found walking down the street, or playing in a quiet Stratford playground I’ve passed by every day.

Here is a vignette of those conversations.

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Meet two fans I came across…Danny, and his friend Dan. The jersey was my first clue.  And Vicky Amaning, an aspiring sports journalist, who was bubbling over as we chatted about the Olympics.

If Kobe sees this, maybe he’ll give Danny a shot. If not, at least he’ll know he as a dedicated fan wearing his jersey in the cool London weather cheering him on.

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Another art form, and way to “picture” an Olympic moment, I’ve learned, is the hobby of pin collecting. I’ve recieved pins from various events or businesses over the years — a way to show the brand of a company or cause. But like in other sports with memorabilia, there is a tradition of pin trading and pin collecting at the Olympics. Not just between fans, but with players from various countries too.

After seeing people doing the trading in action, I came across Timm Jamieson, an architect from Virginia, who’s hobby and passion are part of his vacations every two years, at the Summer and Winter Olympics. It might make you think twice about tossing those old pins in the give away box.

Let’s not forget about the other more predictable, but acceptable, way to remember this experience, or share it with those who could not be here — the traditional commemorative t-shirt. They are aplenty here, at the official Olympic Park stores, and shops at various venues. For Americans, the official Team USA and Ralph Lauren designed clothes are for sale at the USA House near Prince Albert Hall. I’m guilty of buying several — but they are, at least, actually good for working out as well as a conversation piece.

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LeBron James

Kobe Bryant

Kevin Durant

James Harden

Carmelo Anthony

Coach K — Mike Krzyewski

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“Where are you from?” “Tunisia.”And what sport? “Volleyball,” they said in fairly thick accents. “Have you played already?” “Yes,” the younger one answered. “And how did you do?” “We didn’t win, but it’s okay. We play more games.”

I asked if they had been to the United States. The older one had when he played in the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. The younger went on to add that his teammate had been in three Olympics:  Athens, Atlanta and now London. (He did not go to Beijing. I didn’t ask why.) I gave them a bookmark with my website to help explain what I do. Both were quiet but getting more talkative, saying they were going to watch tennis at Wimbledon. I thought about asking to take a picture, but didn’t… and just as we reached the stop, we said our goodbyes and they got off the train.  I mentioned to Laurene,  “I should have taken my picture with them. Two super tall Olympic Volleyball players on either side of 5-foot-6 me! That would have been so fun! Oh well. Next time.” (I’ve since looked up their names on the London2012 website, and they were Mohamed Ben Slimane –6’2″ 30 years old — and Noureddine Hfaiedh –6’6″, 38 years old.)

Fast forward to late Saturday night. I had spent the day writing then traveling to the country, to the town of  Newbury, to meet a friend and his family. A semi non-Olympics day.  In the Stratford Underground station I spotted a man with a USA flag on his back talking with police officers. I snapped a picture. Then, the police officer — with his very cute small dog — started talking to me. I thought I was in trouble for “shooting” the authorities. But, he said, “would you like a picture with a policeman?” “Oh. I was just getting the guy with the flag.” “Oh, you don’t want a picture with a policeman?” “Oh, no. I mean, yes, sure!” So we took one with his dog Finnbury. Not your usual German Sheppard drug sniffing dog, but Finnbury was official.  I felt better about taking the opportunity. Maybe it was a good sign.

Because within three minutes of that,  walking home from the tube after midnight, I started to call my mom to tell her about my day. As I looked ahead, I spotted two very tall men and a woman. The men dressed in distinctively white team uniforms with red and their country RUSSIA on the front. I hung up the phone and said hello to the athletes and asked if I could take my picture with them. THey said, “of course, sure…” Afterward, I asked what sport they were with… “Volleyball?” “No. Swimming.” “Oh, have you competed? How did you do?” “Yes, we competed. In the relay. We won Bronze.” “Bronze. WOW! Congratulations!”

The woman took our picture and another with me talking with them. With a check of that website, the players were Andrey Grechin (6’6″ on my right) and Daniel Izotov (6’4″ on my left.) Congrats to the Bronze Medalists  for the  4X100 freestyle relay.

So while every moment can’t be captured, sometimes by just starting a conversation, you can learn a little more about the athletes whose world is playing their sport, and who the world is watching as well.

The post One on One Jane’s Olympic Journal Day 8: The Picture I Didn’t Take and the Ones I did. appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

After the Apple sessions — thanks especially to Steffen from Florida who’s here getting his Masters Degree in animation — I meandered through Oxford Circus and found a great little backstreet called Glasshouse Street. A trifecta of pubs from three streets converged with the happy hour crowds standing outside on cobblestone streets on enjoying their pints of beer and the beautiful weather.

Needing food at this point, and carrying my heavy backpack full of computer gear, I spotted a familiar site. Whole Foods. Yes, Whole Foods market is in the heart of London. Crazy. I sat outside with my healthy dinner  and chatted with  man from New Zealand and a woman from Morocco, both living in London. We talked about how the world keeps getting smaller between iPhones, the internet, and now Whole Foods — all  beyond just imported brands of fast-food restaurants and clothes stores.  I made it hope on the fairly quite Tube, and through the still very busy Stratford Station where Olympics spectators were making their way home, too.

After the pictures… the story continues…

The Apple tutoring paid off, but thanks to my new French friend  Laurene Casseville, who’s also in TV for a French production company, Friday has been spent collaborating in a small but functional editing suite upstairs in a quaint brick building in Soho — the artsy part of London.

So, here is part of my Wednesday  experience at the Volleyball game. I interviewed two fans after the match between Russia and Albania. I had been watching them from my seat, and noticed how while they were not there together, they were very involved in watching the games, showing their flags. Then, when it was over, they took the initiative to even pose for pictures.

I jumped in and asked for a picture with the two of them,  and they agreed to an interview. It’s a little shaky, shooting with my iPad, but it captures the spirit and ambiance. Sorry to say I did not write their names down, but I gave them my website so perhaps they’ll log in.

It’s only one-minute long — shorter than I’m used to — and  one of countless conversations and observations possible here at the Olympics.

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Indeed,  I had missed the gracious Olympic volunteers waving their big pink foam fingers, but now was on track, and walked right through security and into the huge and older arena.  As impressive as it was at first, I was perplexed. I thought I was going to Beach Volleyball. I imagined Hyde Park with temporary sand lots, and  even brought  my sunscreen. Maybe the sport was indoors, and I had it all wrong. Turns out, there is a separate Beach Volleyball site, so either I clicked a differnt button on line when purchasing (jet lag still in affect?) or there was a glitch.  Either way, it turned out to be a good experience.

I arrived at about 10:15 to my seat in section 109, 6th row,  looking right into one end of the court and across to the second team. A lovely Japanese couple that lives in London was next to me, and some very vigorous Japanese fans were all around. The place was packed high to the rafters. This was Women’s Volleyball. Japan vs. the Dominican Republic. Music played between points and during time-outs, much like and NBA game. (The cheerleaders for this one, though, were young teenage girls.) I quickly learned, this was a best of 5 competition, and Japan was leading 2-games to none. This third game was tight, and the crowd, very loud.  Except when the server served. Then, you could hear a pin drop. Many fans knew the rules and etiquette, I was observing and learning. Watching the women was impressive; watching the people, entertaining and informative as well.

When Japan finally won after overcoming a tie at 25,  sweeping the DR, the crowd went wild shouting Nip-pon, Nip-pon, but never anything out of disrepect for the other team.

Then, the spectator count dropped some. The next set was Russia vs. Algeria. Here’s where I observed yet another Olympic sub-moment. Russia, the World Champions, with a team of very tall women, some even a head taller than their teammates, at first visually dominated next to the Algeria women; a team much shorter, overall  You could almost feel people thinking, “This Algeria team doesn’t have a chance.”

But, they put up a good fight and showed some great skills and teamwork. They are, after all, Olympians. That’s when the sub-moment revealed itself. As the Algerian team was falling behind, the crowd got behind them. Every point they scored, or ground they gained, the applause and shouts of support increased. Certainly, Russian fans and the crowd in general cheered when the Russian’s scored or made a great play. And while the cheering may or may not mean anything to the Algerian players who didn’t advance, and even though the Russian team is clearly outstanding and displayed good sportsmanship on the court, I was very impressed by the “cheering for the underdog” mentality of the thousands in that stadium. An Olympic lesson which qualifies as yet another “Good Sports Story.”

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I didn’t know anything about Taekwondo, but to meet some atheltes in a different venue seemed interesting, and turns out, it was even more than I expected.

I took the Overground Dockland Light Rail System (DLR) about a half hour, with one transfer, to the University. Emily met me and we walked through the fairly modern but small campus on the banks of the river. We entered a sports complex that had beautiful signs saying “Welcome Team USA,” and murals of various athletes over time competing and achieving great things. Emily introduced me to Bill Kellick, the media relations liason for the sport, and he walked me through what I was going to see… and hear! Three of the four members of Team USA Taekwondo were there practicing with their two coaches. What I’d come to learn, was that one of the coaches is the older brother to two of his siblings who are on the team! It’s the Lopez family — well-known in this area of athletics, but new to me.

For an hour I watched them work out, and work out hard. With their perfectly placed kicks, loud and consistent “yells” as they exerted energy kicking or “attacking” their practice partners, and the intensity yet confidence on their faces, I felt in the presence of serious competitors.

I plan to write more and produce a video on the team, including the siblings. Apparently much has been done on them. But considering my focus has not been Olympic sports prior to this trip, I am  glad to be aware of their story and the influence they have on others — especially by teaching and sharing this artistic martial art that is practiced in neighborhoods and around the world.

So, as you’ll see in a future segment…  that ride for a behind the scenes look, certainly was a train to intensity.

After the interviews, I headed back toward the DLR, and stopped to chat with four friendly Police Officers in  traditional tall British hats. One of them, Phil (on the right) had been to San Diego several years ago, and enjoyed Coronado and the Zoo.

Then, on the train, three guys hopped on a few stops down. I looked at one’s  badge, and it said You Tube. “How cool that you work for You Tube. I  love You Tube and use it for my website!” Turns out, they are mostly with the Bleacher Report and this is a special project. When I shared I liked Bleacher Report and have used it when doing a search on someone for an interview, mainly baseball in San Diego, one of the guys asked my name, and said, “I think I follow you on Twitter!” Crazy. I could tell that our small-world conversation was entertaining those around us, as I noticed smiles and chuckles as we talked shop and exchanged info. You really just don’t know who you might meet… and if you’re looking for opportunities… and to connect, you just have to be willing to speak up and share your story…wherever you are (almost!)

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To expand on that, here are tw0 interviews: the first with the man from Belgium, then one of me sharing my reaction after the event. (Late night, long day, but wanted to get my thoughts out there!)

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