The Journey is Over but the Memories Remain

Article and Photos by Diana De Rosa

Life in Greece

I am pleased when I think back at what a nice job the Greeks did on the Markopoulo Equestrian Centre. I think they surprised a lot of people especially after all the reports that leaked back our way hinting that this would not be one of the best situations. In fact it was probably the best equestrian facility for the horses at any of the Olympic Games that I’ve attended (since 1988).

Among the press we discussed the tough transportation conditions (we spent hours in buses) and the stark living quarters (they were tiny and basic). We talked in frustration about the classes that started at 8:30 at night, which meant we didn’t end up leaving the venue until about 2 a.m. because “that’s when the buses left” with stories not totally complete and photos not totally sent out. By the time our day ended it was 4, 5 or 6 a.m. in the morning. I can look back now at those mornings and they are a memory but at the time it was pretty rough. There were a lot of rough things that at the time I wish were different, including the slow internet access. Had the time spent on buses and the internet access been quicker our days would have probably been shortened by about two hours. And when sleep is that scarce, you can bet two hours would have been a godsend to all of us staying up for all those ungodly hours.

But now, thinking back, it’s all part of the story. It’s what made these Olympics the Athens Olympics. If you are going to cover an Olympic Games you have to be prepared for whatever they dish out.

The Country I Never Saw

I am sorry that I never had the chance to see any of Greece other than the venues. The workload was too intense and I could not stay even one extra day as my duties at the Hampton Classic Horse Show, where I am now, started the night I flew home, which was Saturday afternoon, August 28. The show jumping at the Olympics ended on August 27 at about midnight.

What else do I remember from my Olympic journey. The breakfasts that never varied. My diet for 2 ½ weeks consisted of egg and fresh bacon sandwiches, yogurt, coldcuts, orange juice, chocolate and vanilla cupcakes and an occasional ice cream bar (which I would purchase at the venue). By the end, I was pretty tired of the food. But it did sustain me along with my daily dose of liquid vitamins so that I could last to the finish line.

The trams, similar to what you ride on in Disney World, were great for a picture but not so great to ride around the military venue where we called home.

The view from the breakfast venue was absolutely beautiful – water, mountains, trees everywhere. I already miss that.

It was great seeing all my friends from around the world – all the friends that I see on an average of once a year when I am covering the Pan American Games or an Olympic Games. These are people from all walks of life and so many different countries and meeting up with them at the major international events is a highlight for me.