When you think of the Olympics, perhaps no event captures
the imagination like the 100 meter final.
The event has produced numerous sporting legends such as
Jesse Owens & Carl Lewis. When I finally booked my tickets to the Beijing
Olympics in 2008, I knew I had to watch the world’s most exciting 10 seconds of
sports.
Although Usain Bolt these days is a household name, back in
2008 the worldwide media was salivating over a potential showdown between the
new world record holder and the US sprinting star Tyson Gay.
The day had finally come and to avoid the traffic I rode the
newly built Beijing Olympic metro line to the Olympic Park.
Security at all stations was tight, with all hand held items
put through an x-ray scanner. Those with Olympic tickets could ride the metro
for free, although regular tickets cost a mere $0.50. Beijing’s metro system is notorious for being
overcrowded, and my ride was no exception as hundreds of tourists & locals were
packed like sardines.
Eventually we arrived at Olympic Park station and a few
wrong detours later I was at the entrance of the Bird’s Nest. Despite the ban
on ticket reselling, ticket scalpers were selling tickets in the open, playing
a cat and mouse game with the police.
As with the metro, our bags were scanned and checked for
contraband. My large tripod was confiscated and curiously my American flag hand
measured to meet “size requirements”.
Once I finally made it through the security checkpoint, I
was treated a beautiful view of the Bird’s Nest.
Heading into the stadium I settled into my seats located in
the lower level. Having scoured the internet a couple months earlier, I knew
the best non-VIP tickets would be found in section M, as it directly faced the
starting line. Luckily I was able to snag a spare ticket for around $200.
The weather was perfect and the afternoon flew by with
various events including the javelin throw, shot put, and of course racing.
This would be the last
Olympics a traditional starter pistol was used.
In between events, Chinese cheerleaders & mascots would
come out and perform in traditional Chinese garb set to western music, a
bizarre combination to the least.
Cheerleaders
performing to Cotton Eye Joe
While most tickets cost an arm and a leg, concessions were
at bargain prices, with Budweiser beer being sold for 4 yuan ($0.60) per cup.
Quite a few American fans were taking advantage of the cheap prices, with some
buying out whole cases on the spot, resulting in quite a few inebriated fans.
I was quite surprised at how empty the stadium was in the
daytime, but by the time sun set over the Beijing skyline, the stadium was at
capacity.
Before long, the two 100 meter semifinal races were held
with Bolt easily qualifying for the final round.
Shockingly, Gay
failed to qualify and the dream matchup between the two stars never
materialized.
However, the pro-bolt Chinese crowd didn’t seem to mind and roared
when 90 minutes later the 100 meter final was announced.
Before the race each sprinter was introduced and Bolt
whipped the crowd into a further frenzy with his trademark lightning stance.
As the sprinters set
into their blocks, a muted murmured hush fell over the stadium.
At the sound of the gun, the crowd of over 91,000 burst to
life as if Zeus came down from the heavens himself.
From my place near the starting blocks the race looked much
closer than it really was on TV.
It was only after the scoreboard displayed a picture of Bolt
dominating the field, that his true scope of victory could be seen.
Afterwards, Bolt gave his customary victory lap around the
stadium, with fans straining to catch glimpse of the world’s fastest man.
As the fans started slowly streaming out the now brightly
red lit stadium, cheers were still echoing within the Bird’s Nest.
