UC Irvine women's water polo head coach Dan Klatt embarks on his 27 day journey at the Tokyo Olympic Games as an assistant coach on the U.S. Women's National Team. His trip began on Tuesday, July 13th as he departed Los Angeles with Team USA for Japan. Follow along as he documents his trip with "Postcards from Tokyo".
TOKYO - GOING HOME
Hi Everyone –
This morning was our last in the village. The closing ceremony was last night. Tokyo officially closed the 2020 Olympic Games and passed the torch to Paris. We have been away from home for 27 days. You can feel the excitement in the team. We have had a great time together, but we are all ready to see our families. I know I can't wait to see my wife and my boys.
Everyone left in the village headed out today. The airport was packed and the lines were long, but everyone eventually made it through security and got into the terminal. They gave us 4 hours so we had plenty of time to spare. As we always say hurry up and wait is our motto for travel. Just one last time before we are home.
As we head home it is amazing to think about the success of this team. These women are ballers. They have won every major championship for 7 years after losing the 2013 World Championship in Barcelona. 2 Olympic Games, 3 World Championships, 7 World League Super Finals, and 2 Pan American Games. There are very few sports teams, if any, in the world, who have had that kind of dominance over such a long time period. I would put them up against anyone as the greatest team ever.
The ladies are amazing. That has been covered. The rest of this letter is going to be about the people who support them. The amazing people behind the team. You may not know some or any of them, and if you're not into hearing about good people you should stop reading now. I can promise you they are worth knowing about. Here is my First Team All-Tournament Staff for the Olympic women's water polo tournament in 2021. And for the record, only athletes get medals. Those are the players medals we are wearing in these pictures. I should also share that I believe that's the way it should be. Medals are sacred. They belong with the athletes.
Head Coach – Adam Krikorian
Many people respect and appreciate Adam for the results his team's have produced. Adam is lot more than those results. He is a great man with incredible character, committed to helping those around him maximize their potential. He is a talented leader and a charismatic person. Everyone can see that. What you don't see is that he is also a tireless worker. Hopefully, after three Olympic gold medals, I will stop hearing people say things that allude to the talent as the only driver in this teams success. I have watched Adam study the game until he can't hold his eyes open. I have watched him prepare and plan for every scenario so the team is ready for anything. I have watched him clearly communicate and execute his vision. He sets an example of what it means to work at a world class level, and the players and the staff follow his example. He is courageous enough to stand alone when he believes in something, and he is humble enough to ask for help and listen when he needs it. He is the best ever because he works to be. If anyone disagrees please feel free to give me a call, and I will look forward to crushing you in that conversation.
Fun Fact: Adam was coached by UCI's own Hal Stern in little league.
Adam with our MVV (Most Valuable Volunteer) Jake
Assistant Coach – Chris Oeding
When I joined the national team, as a player, Chris Oeding was the captain of the team. I didn't interact with him a ton, but he was someone I looked up to, one of my heroes. Fast forward 13 years later and we are coaching the women's national team together. Chris is an incredibly balanced person. He brings that balance to the team. He knows exactly when the team needs serious Chris, and when they need some humor or love. He is a brilliant tactician, and has helped the ladies maximize their offensive potential. I call him the wordsmith because he has an incredible vocabulary and always has great vocal delivery. Besides his expertise in water polo he is an accomplished foody, finding us the best spots across the planet. As with Adam he is a great man above all else. I learn a lot from him about being the best husband and father I can.
Team Leader/Swiss Army Knife – Chris Lee
If you are in water polo and you don't know Chris Lee then you are missing out. Chris Lee serves many functions with our team because his commitment and intelligence allows him to do so. Chris is one of few staff members who has been with the team for the past 3 Olympic Games. During the Tokyo Olympic Games Chris served as our team leader and video analyst. From scheduling, to transportation, organization, to video coordination Chris worked tirelessly throughout the Olympic Games. He kept the team informed and pointed in the right direction from start to finish, and he made sure we had what we needed to be successful. Chris does all of these things with great energy and a smile on his face. This can be a hard and frustrating job, but you would never know it. The work Chris does is essential, but what I love most about Chris is his commitment to treating people with love and kindness. From handing out pins to vocalizing his appreciation, between and during jobs, Chris made every person around our team feel important. He believes in being good and showing love and that energy echoed in everything he does. I love Chris very much and I am fortunate to call him my friend.
High Performance – John Abdou
John has the tough responsibility of corralling all the people on this email and ensuring that we are all pointed in the right direction. He takes all the ideas that come from this group, finds a way to fund them, and puts them into action. He works behind the scene a lot and doesn't get as much credit or interaction with the group as he deserves. John and I were college teammates at UCI, and we have maintained our friendship and brotherhood throughout the years. It has been fun to watch him become one of the hardest working and most prominent figures in our sport. USA Water Polo would not function without his commitment, intelligence, and work ethic. He is a proud alumni of UCI and does our institution proud. I am lucky to have a friend and colleague like John.
Strength and Conditioning – Tim Pelot
Many people think of a strength coach as someone obsessed with the weight room. Besides being a fun person with great energy, Tim is a researcher, a leader, and a wonderful friend. Tim is extremely talented, but like many of my colleagues he is a tireless worker. He is obsessed with his craft. Knowing what works, staying up to date on developments in the field, and constantly updating his practices so that the athletes he coaches stay interested. He keeps detailed records so that athletes can follow their gains or losses over multiple quads. The athletes on our team are here because they love water polo, not strength training, but it is one of the most critical components to our success and to the ability of our players to remain healthy. Tim has a challenges job to get their buy in. We also give him the 7 AM slot, which makes his job even harder. Tim is a master at reading the room and he earns their respect and their buy in every day.
Sports Psychology – Peter Haberl
Peter is a master at his craft, and has been helping athletes win medals and achieve their Olympic dreams for over 20 years. He is a USOPC employee so we have to share him with other teams, but the time we get is critical to our team success. He is an expert in all things Sports Psychology. He works with the group, and he provides individual sessions specific to each athlete. This is critical because although we are a team each athlete has their own circumstances and challenges unique to them. Peter gives incredible presentations that resonate with the group and improve our mental abilities and openness. Peter is a firm believer in mindfulness and has made it a regular part of our groups identity and practice. He has always been critical to our success, but because of the restrictions in Tokyo he became increasingly critical as the tournament progressed. Because of the lack of ability to move around and stay occupied there was a lot of time to sit around with your anxieties. Peter helped the players manage their feelings and stay focused on performance.
Sports Dietician's – Shawn Hueglin and Rachael Mack
These ladies work as a team to provide our group with pre and post-game and pre and post-training nutrition, supplement education and support, and individualized nutrition plans for the athletes. They are responsible for numerous USOPC programs residing in the southern California area, but somehow they are present and available every day. They do everything from shop, to teach, to cook, to wash dishes, to order, to direct. They are incredibly knowledgeable in all aspects of performance nutrition. It is my belief that they are also providing knowledge and skills that are timeless and help these women lead healthy lives following their careers. Shawn occasionally gives me that look if I bring some doughnuts on a special occasion or sneak a post-game treat to early, but she still loves me. What can I say, every needs a treat sometimes and coaches get hungry too.
Fun Fact: Rachel's proud father Darryl is a Professor in the Samueli School of Engineering at UCI.
State Department Rep - Heidi Sieber
I haven't mentioned it before but at each Olympic games we have a state department official who looks after our team and ensures our safety throughout the Olympic Games. We were extremely fortunate to have Heidi working with our team in Tokyo. She stays outside of the village, but attends all of our trainings and competition, and essentially anything where we leave the village. Heidi fit in with our group immediately. By the time the first day was over she knew everyone's name and was helping us with equipment. To my knowledge, this was the first time in the history of the team that we have had a woman representative helping our team. Heidi was one of only 3 women from the state department on the ground in Tokyo. Obviously, there is a long way to go to ensure there is more female representation, but I know it made our team extremely proud that they had Heidi representing and caring for our team. We have had some great people work with our team over the years, but in my opinion Heidi was the best.
Team MD – Elmo Agatep
Dr. Agatep is a volunteer, but you wouldn't know it. Although he has his own clinic he is responsible to, he works tirelessly to ensure our athletes are well cared for and have their medical needs attended to immediately. We are fortunate that he is local to our training hub in Los Alamitos. He is probably not so lucky because that proximity allows us to lean on him heavily. Elmo is intelligent and energetic. He claims to be over 50, but by his looks and his energy I would swear he's about 32. Elmo was critical is keeping our team informed and developing our plan for COVID protocols. The ladies wouldn't be enjoying those gold medals without him. In addition to his work with our team Elmo began treating infected people immediately upon the onset of the COVID virus in March 2020, putting his life and the life of his family at risk to care for those in need. Elmo is selfless and he is brave. We aren't just lucky to have him as our doctor, we are lucky to know him at all.
Most Valuable Staffer
This is the look you get when you don't do what you're supposed to.
Athletic Trainer – Larnie Boquiren
Larnie, teamed with her fellow MVS, shouldered the burden of the pandemic for our team and creating the playbook by which we operated throughout the past 18 months. We shut down with everyone else in March 2020, but because of her work and commitment we were able to safely return to some form of training June 1, 2020. We operated with minimal incidents from that time until the completion of the Olympic Games. I'm pretty sure that if Larnie wanted to spend her time studying dangerous viruses and creating protocols around them she would have become an epidemiologist, but we are a small organization, and we had no one else. So Larnie, being the most selfless and professional person I have ever met, took charge. While doing her day job as an athletic trainer, managing the injuries, prehabilitation, and rehabilitation of elite athletes so they remained eligible for training and competition, Super Larnie educated herself on the protocols and procedures we would need to live by in order to prepare for the delayed Olympic Games in the COVID era. None of us made it easy. Besides creating the protocols Larnie had to police them. She kept everyone in line. Sometimes with her words, and sometimes with this look she has. The weight she carried over this time is unthinkable. She is the only one good enough and disciplined enough to have done it. The team owes her everything.
Besides being our COVID professional Larnie is at the top of her chosen profession. I have never met anyone with the talent, work ethic, and commitment to self-improvement she has. Our team trains hard, they get hurt, but they are always ready to compete at a high level. Not only does Larnie work and heal like a boss, she has also created a network of healthcare providers that make sure the ladies are covered from their eyeballs to their toes.
Although Larnie is highly intelligent and hard-working, everything she does is driven by her good heart. I often refer to Larnie as the trainer for the people, and the bugs, and the plants. Everywhere we go Larnie is ready to help anyone in need. It could be an athlete from another team, an injured bug, or a banzai plant needing a little extra love. Larnie steps in and people get better and feel better. I will always be in awe of her. With zero time to herself Larnie has always found a way to spread her love to myself and to my family through her actions and words. I love Larnie very much and will be eternally grateful for her.
It was a joy coming home to family and friends. The airport was packed with loved ones. Thanks again to everyone for supporting this team. None of this is possible without love and support from all of you. We will remain grateful to all of you. I am officially signing off from the Tokyo Olympic Games! My best to your friends and family. Remember to support the dreams of the ones you love. You never know where those could lead. May you stay happy and healthy.
Dan
TOKYO - SEMIFINAL & FINAL
Hi Everyone -
I hope you are having a good weekend. I wasn't able to get a message out between the semifinal and final so I have combined them into one. Besides training and competing it's pretty much eat, meet, and sleep around here. When you play every other day the wait can seem long and grueling. The main area of focus for us is to keep our thoughts on the present. Not on the future and not in the past.
We were tested in the semifinal. Most people who watched our bracket game with the Russian Olympic Committee probably thought there was going to be a lopsided result in the semifinal match and they were wrong. Thankfully, we have studied the Russian team for years. We know the quality of their coaching and players. Thanks to that our team didn't find themselves in shock when we were down by three goals two different times in the first . The Russian team started hot offensively, and us, not so much. The feeling on the bench and in the water as we mounted our comeback and eventually took the lead in the third quarter was special. The will and spirit of these women is something I don't take for granted. Many people are in awe by the things they are able to do in the water. The things they do with the ball as shooters and passers, the way they move, the way they defend, the way they dictate the game, help each other, communicate, and put each other in a position to have success. All of those things are a result of their will and their spirit, more so than their talent. I often feel guilty about the amount of time I have been blessed with to watch them from the inside. From a seat and perspective most people will never have. Thankfully, I have something many people don't. I have a Grandma B. My 93 year old grandmother is not only one of the team's biggest fans, she is also one of the wisest people I have ever known. Since I was mature enough to understand she has compelled me to look deeper into my blessings and have appreciation. During the period of time we were stuck inside as the pandemic took hold she encouraged me to "look out my window" and to pay attention to the beauty right in front of my face. I am looking out my window Grandma B, and I see greatness, and beauty, and magic right in front of my face. I am enjoying every minute of it to the best of my ability.
After a day of rest, the calm before the storm, the final was upon us. The Spanish team beat the Hungarians 8-6 to earn a spot in the final. It is important to note that we have built an incredible rivalry with Spain over the past nine years. They are a well-coached and extremely talented team. We played in the gold medal match of the 2012 Olympic Games, and played in the gold medal matches of the 2017 and 2019 World Championships. Additionally, we played in advancement games in the 2013 and 2015 World Championships. In 2013 Barcelona hosted the FINA World Championships for all aquatics sports. In that event Spain beat us in the quarterfinal match and went on to win the World Championship in front of their home crowd. Because we have so much continuity with our staff and our players, I believe this is a result that continues to motivate us to this day. All of us are at our best when we play this team. We have played and studied this team more than anyone because of the respect we have for their abilities. When you are a coach, and you know your players, you can tell when things feel right. You can't predict outcomes, but you can predict mind state and effort. In our meetings the day prior and the day of it felt right.
Our team came out more prepared and ready to fight from the first whistle.
Alys Williams, who worked for nine years for this moment, torched the defense from outside on the first possession and we never looked back. The ladies put on an offensive and defensive clinic from start to finish on the world's biggest stage. When all was said and done the scoreboard read 14-5, leaving no doubt who is the best in the world in 2021.When you have watched the hard work and commitment it is gratifying to see the team finish with this type of performance.
When the final buzzer sounded the celebration began. Anyone familiar with water polo knows that when an important championship is won the staff has the honor of an in pool celebration with the athletes. This is one of my favorite parts. In most sports coaches have the ability to walk into the field of play to instruct and intermingle with the team. In water polo we are always on the sideline, separated from the team. It makes it hard to instruct and can often make you feel far away and disconnected. In this moment you are together with them, after victory, on the field of battle. It is special. Special enough that you forgot you have your clothes and shoes on. If you're a non-aquatics person, like our athletic trainer Larnie, you've learned enough about water polo by now that you just hold onto someone else to keep you afloat.
I always forget, but after every Olympic final they are rushing the ladies out of the locker room and onto the podium. This is when you are reminded that media runs the roost at the Olympic Games. They have a timeline and it must be kept. The ceremony was different without fans in the building. Some things were better and some things I missed from previous Games. I missed hearing the USA supporters sing the national anthem as the flag was raised. If you weren't crying already that will get you. The part I loved, which was new to these Games, and a result of the pandemic, was that the girls got to put the medals on each other's necks. Usually, this is done by an IOC member that has limited to no connection to the athletes. When your family, who has fought with you and worked with you for five years puts that medal on your neck, it means even more. Because their families, who have committed along with them couldn't be there, it was especially significant. Once again, I had a front row seat to all of this. I tried to take pictures, but I like to see with my own eyes, and not through the screen on my cell phone. We look at too much of life that way these days.
After the ceremony we spent another few hours at the pool with just the staff and players. Savoring the moment, snapping photos, and waiting for the three members of our team who were selected for drug testing to rejoin us. When we got back to village we had a quick meeting, as we do after every game. As we approached the USA building women's volleyball and other members of the delegation still at the Games greeted us with applause and
congratulations. That was cool. There aren't that many people left in the village, but the sound echoed off the surrounding buildings.
I know it is tough on the girls to not have their families here to celebrate, but one of the byproducts of that is we stayed together and connected throughout the night. The elation was present and the weight was gone. It was a fun time. In other years we usually have an event scheduled, but at that event people are usually with their families, and the connection isn't as undisturbed. I am thankful for those moments.
I would be remiss if I didn't mentioned that our team, once again, captured the hearts of the volunteers at the venue and throughout the village. In athletics, on the largest stages, it is easy to be focused on yourself and let the people who are working to make the event successful become invisible. No matter where we are or how big these women become, they never do that. They let everyone in. With a bow, a hug, a picture, a fist bump, or a smile they acknowledge and celebrate the people they encounter. As a result they have fans across the world. I am proud of the work they do and the results they have achieved, but I am more proud to be part of a group that understands the importance of giving love and showing respect to the people around them. These women understand the impact they can have on others and they welcome the opportunity to spread good vibes.
We have been extremely fortunate to have had the best possible results at the past three Olympic Games. It makes it easier to look favorably on the time spent and the choices made over the past five years. It is important for everyone to know that the picture you see is the social media version. All the good and easy with very little of the hard and ugly. Behind this gold medal is joy and love and courage and success. But behind this gold medal is also pain, and doubt, and anxiety, and failure. I used to overuse the word sacrifice when describing this experience. But it's not sacrifice, it's a choice. A choice to be a part of something that requires a lot of yourself. Something that will test you. Something that will not be pleasant every day. Every choice we make in life we are choosing one thing and not choosing another. When we use the word sacrifice we are inferring that we are missing out on something rather than choosing what we want. What makes this experience so amazing is that we choose it and it is real. You don't just feel good, you feel everything, and as far as I am concerned that is living. It takes a lot of storm to have a little bit of rainbow.
I will have one final letter tomorrow. That feels like enough for now. Thanks for rooting for the team and supporting these women through their journey. They are thankful for your love and support. They represented all of you the way that you deserve. Have a great day. My best to you and your families. May you be happy and healthy.
Dan
TOKYO - QUARTERFINAL & THE INTERNATIONAL ZONE
Hi Everyone –
I will probably keep my notes a bit shorter over the next few days. We competed in the quarterfinal yesterday and beat Canada 16-5. The team played extremely well together, and I am looking forward to watching them continue to raise their level as the tournament continues. The other quarterfinal winners were Spain, Hungary, and the Russian Olympic Committee. We will play the Russian Olympic Committee in the semifinal Thursday at 3:30 PM. Another unique part of the water polo competition is that the consolation bracket plays to completion. In most team sports when you lose an advancement game you are finished. Besides the medal games there is no clear placing for other teams. Australia, Netherlands, Canada, and China will compete to decide 5-8 place. Having played in these games during my own experience as a player I understand how challenging it is to come back and compete after your hopes of advancing to the medal rounds have been ended. This is where it is important to love the game, love playing with your teammates, and respect what it means to compete for your country. I wish the best for all those athletes and staff.
International Zone
I have referenced the international zone on a few occasions and wanted to explain what that means. At each Olympic Games there is a zone where they have resources for participants. These vary from Games to Games, but it is a good place for athletes to go to occupy time and calm their nerves. The resources in Tokyo include a general store, for random needs, the official Olympic store, where Games merchandise is sold, an Asics store, where athletes can go to have a free custom pair of shoes fitted, a Samsung store, banks, a hair salon, a nail salon, and a post office. The post office was offering the athletes the ability to make stamps of themselves in their Olympic gear so that they could send letters home to their family. That was a creative idea I haven't seen before. It is pretty busy, but I got to watch a few athletes have their photo shoot the other day.
The favorite part of the International Zone is always the Truce Mural. Each Olympic Village has a display designed by the host country that reinforces the commitment by the Olympic movement to world peace. This year's mural is better to be seen than to be photographed. It seems simple, but is more complex upon further investigation. Carpentry is a celebrated skill in Japan, and if you look closely you can see the carefully designed interlocking pieces of Japanese cedar and Japanese Cypress. This art is a representation of the hard work and effort it takes to make peace between different peoples possible. Each participant has the opportunity to sign their name to show their commitment to truce and peace. Although it will take more than a bunch of athletes and athletic personnel to achieve world peace, it is reminder that people from all over the world, with extremely different backgrounds, can coexist harmonious if it is made to be a priority. There are many challenges the International Olympic Committee needs to address, but I commend the organizers and the participants for committing to peace and love as core values of the greater movement. It has been hard to feel this peace and harmony in Tokyo because of the pandemic and the recommendation to stay apart, rather than together. Regardless, there is a mutual respect and appreciation for fellow competitors and fellow participants across all disciplines that can be felt. Everyone in the Olympic Village wears gear that identifies where they are from and who they are representing. What I love about the Olympic Games is that instead of creating judgement it creates interest and wonder.
As Adam and the Italian official demonstrate above, we have to keep talking to each other to get to the right place.
The village population is declining each day. As competitions end or people are eliminated from competition they are given 48 hours to vacate the village. The main dining hall and the streets of the village are evidence of this. In normal times participants who had finished their competition would stay around to soak up more of the Olympic experience by attending as many events as possible and supporting the other athletes from their delegations. Unfortunately, these circumstances don't allow for that.
Thanks again for your support of our team and the Olympic Games. I wish you and your family a great day. May you be happy and healthy.
Dan
TOKYO- VENUE, TRAINING, AND COMPETITION
Hi Everyone –
I hope you are well. We have reached the point in the tournament where we have a bye. There are 10 teams in the women's tournament: USA, Hungary, Japan, China, Russian Olympic Committee, Spain, Australia, Netherlands, Canada, and South Africa. Each team has a bye on one competition day during pool play. We played the first four days so we have a bye on the last day of pool play. This gives us three days to prepare for our quarterfinal match up on August 3. There are still games to be played, so our opponent will be determined after the games August 1. If you were reading carefully you noticed that I mentioned the Russian Olympic Committee as one of the competitors. That is an interesting part of these Games. Do to the determination by the World Antidoping Administration that Russia sponsored a state wide doping program in the Sochi 2014 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) handed down the punishment that the Russian delegation and its athletes are unable to compete as Russia. They can't have "Russia" on any of their uniforms, their flag isn't displayed on their uniforms or in the village or in the venues, and they aren't allowed to play their national anthem. It is a rather peculiar since "Russia" is part of the title Russian Olympic Committee, and the Olympic rings are part of their flag and emblem for this Olympic Games. Anthems are mostly played following the presentation of the gold medal at the completion of an event, but in water polo the tradition is that the anthem of the two countries competing is always played prior to the start of the match. Since the Russian team isn't allowed to play their national anthem they have chosen to play Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto Number One. I don't have an opinion on the punishment. That is out of my jurisdiction, but it is all strange. I can only imagine what it is like for the staff and athletes of Russia.
The Venue
Our competition venue, the Tatsumi Water Polo Centre, is a beautiful complex. There are two permanent 50 meter pools inside the main building. One is for the games, and the other is a warm down facility. There are actually platforms and a diving well near the competition pool, but it has been drained to provide extra seating for the matches. Temporary bleachers are coming up out of the empty pool. All of this was planned before the announcement that the Olympics would be "spectatorless," so the venue was prepared to hold 7,000-8,000 fans. The warm down pool has a shallow bottom, so in addition to this there is a temporary 35 meter warm up pool built by Mirtha outside the main facility. This pool will be taken apart and shipped to Fukuoka for next year's FINA World Championships. It takes about 30 minutes by bus to get to and from the village.
The air and water temperatures inside the pool areas is carefully controlled and provides an excellent environment for peak performance. The scoreboard display is world class as is the production team for the Olympic Games. They provide a standard scoreboard, incredible game statistics, and relevant replay/playback throughout the game. A few new additions for this Olympic Games include a replay system called VAR and a spider camera above the pool. If there is a question as to whether a shot went passed the goal line or occurred following the shot clock or quarter clock ending the official has the ability to review and adjust as necessary. If you are a football fan and been to a game you have likely seen the camera which follows behind the offense and gives an incredible view through the eyes of the quarterback. That is what the spider camera does. It dips down into the action and creates shots from overhead or behind that weren't available before.
The Competition
As I mentioned above we finished our pool play. We beat China, Japan, and Russia, and we lost to Hungary. It is likely we will finish second in our bracket. Many people are surprised by the fact that we dropped a game to Hungary. This is the Olympic Games. People bring their best here. And if you don't, there is a good chance you won't be successful. On July 28 Hungary was better than us. Fortunately there are two tournaments at the Olympic Games. The seeding tournament, or pool play, and the elimination tournament, which leads to the podium. If you are going to drop a game, the seeding tournament is the time to do it. I have no doubt that our defeat will only heighten the motivation of this remarkable group of women moving forward. I know that we are all excited to get the next stage of the Olympic competition. We will play Canada in the quarterfinal match.
The Training
We are still actively training while we are here. It is important to maintain physical condition throughout the tournament. Many sports in the Olympic Games compete for a week or just a few days. Most of the team sports go throughout the entire two week period of competition during the Olympic Games. For us, we began on July 24, and our last day will be August 7. We have maintained both strength and pool sessions on our off days. The water polo teams have two assigned training times per day on off days and one warm up time per day on competition days. Each session lasts one hour and 15 minutes. Besides the Tatsumi Water Polo Centre water polo has an additional training facility we use on non-competition days called Musashino Forrest Sport Plaza. This facility houses training for several sports. There is one 50 meter pool that is usually shared by two teams. It takes about 50 minutes to get to and from the village. In addition to water time our strength and conditioning director, Tim Pelot, continues to work with the team to ensure their strength holds up.
USOPC High Performance Center
At each Olympic Games the USOPC establishes a High Performance Training Center within the host city. Normally, they will partner with a local multi-sport facility and rent their space throughout the Olympic Games. Each sport has its own challenges for training. The USOPC High Performance Center ensures that Team USA athletes will have a space where they can receive support, fueling and nutrition, and unrestricted closed training to prepare for their events. We used this facility for the first time during our bye period. The team was able to get out of the village for a while, get some different food, and feel the support of the amazing USOPC staff who run and support the activity at this facility. Unfortunately, the pool at the HPC was only 5 feet deep and couldn't support our training needs outside of recovery swimming, and therefore we couldn't use it regularly. Many other team and individual sport athletes are taking advantage of the facilities at the USOPC HPC regularly throughout the Games. In Rio, because our HPC facility was sufficient, we were able to abandon our trainings scheduled by the Olympic Organizing Committee, and use our facility exclusively. This is a big advantage because you have the ability to train when you want instead of when you are assigned. USA is not the only country who does this. Many countries establish similar training bases within the host city during the Olympics. To give you an idea of what this looks just take a look at the LA Rams, who are using UC Irvine and its facilities as a training base for their pre-season program right now. They are at UCI for just about the same amount of time a federation would utilize a location as its high performance center. You can bet that many countries will start to work with southern California college campuses to arrange for their federations HPC to be established in partnership with the athletics departments.
The quarterfinals are coming, and I can't wait to see these women shine. I will do my best to keep you updated on the results and interesting facts as the Olympic Games close out over the next week. Have a great week. May you and your family be happy and healthy.
Dan
VILLAGE LIFE - VOLUME TWO
Hi Everyone –
I hope you are all well. I apologize for the delay in getting more information out, but the water polo tournament has begun and work is the priority. I will do my best to catch up when we have a break.
The picture above is the avenue of flags in the village where the flag of every participating country is displayed. Usually, they have a ceremony for each country's flag to be raised, that can be attended by the delegation, but I think they avoided it this year in order to avoid congregations throughout the village.
The Volunteers
Most people are oblivious to what actually makes the Olympic Games go. Yes, the host countries and cities put in a lot of work ahead of time. And yes, the IOC and the individual country Olympic Committees put in a lot of work ahead of, and during, the Olympic Games. That being said, it is the volunteers that make the Olympic Games go. Not just with the presence either. It is their attitude, their effort, and their action. Everywhere you go, from the village to the venues, there are thousands of volunteers. Many are Japanese, but people come from all over the world to volunteer for the Olympic Games. When they sign up for service, years ahead of time, they have no idea what their job will be. They might be a greater, they might work the transportation mall, or they might be in charge of putting napkins in empty dispensers at the dining hall. Whatever their job is the love and the energy that emanates from them is remarkable. I am sure you have seen articles about volunteers quitting the Games and the concerns about Tokyo's ability to run a successful event as a result. Let me dispel those rumors for you. The volunteers here, helping us, represent the best of humanity, and they are crushing it. I am sure they are here because they are fans of the Olympic Games, but I feel like I am a fan of theirs. If you are old enough to remember the Peyton Manning commercials where he is obsessed with the workers at his local grocery store. I am Peyton Manning toward the Tokyo volunteers. I have bowed 1000 times and I will bow 1000 more before I leave to show my respect and appreciation. A special shout out to Jake Yokota, a former UCLA men's water polo player and current resident of Chiba, for his leadership and assistance at our water polo venue.
Transportation
For transportation outside of the village there is transportation mall with a fleet of hundreds of buses that take all athletes and teams to their practice sites and venues. Basically, there is a street that has been blocked off with 50 different stalls. Stalls are assigned to specific sports. As a team we always have our own bus and all water polo teams generally catch their buses at the same stall. This is nice because with the contact tracing due to COVID there is an extra layer of protection. Individual sport athletes who compete on different days and at different times have shared buses that travel throughout the day to and from their venue. Several countries will be on the same bus at the same time.
The village is walkable for the 40+ assistant coach working his life fitness, but those type of people, whomever they are, are averaging between 12,000 and 15,000 steps per day. For many athletes resting and minimizing movement is a part of their routine as they approach competition. There are also sports that require a lot of equipment that is tough to carry across the village. There is a fleet of autonomous vehicles, pictured below, that transport people across the village. They do have an operator responsible for emergency braking if it becomes necessary. They definitely look futuristic. I haven't been in one because we have been encouraged to stay out of situations where we are in close contact with people we don't know in indoor spaces. And, there is all you can eat food 24 hours a day, so I need the steps.
One other cool fact is that many countries have bikes for all members of their delegation to use to navigate the village. The Dutch are famous for this. There is always a mob of orange bikes somewhere in the village. If you have ever been to the Netherlands you would understand that bike riding is an important part of their culture and transportation system. I always go for several bike rides when we visit.
Olympic/Paralympic Mascots
Each Olympic and Paralympics Games have mascots designed by the hosts. I have always tried to collect the stuffed animal version of these at each Olympic Games I attend. Many of the old ones currently exist in the Skyler and Luke toy graveyard. Below are the Tokyo robot mascots, Miraitowa and Someity.
Athlete Services
The village has many athlete services. There is an athlete service center housed in the same building as the casual dining. Within that building there is an arcade, ping pong tables, dart boards, televisions with couches that constantly run Olympic TV, massage chairs, and a large strength and conditioning center. It is surprising that these things are available and being utilized considering that they are encouraging everyone to be on guard with COVID protocols. It is important for the athletes to have ways to destress and connect.
The other really important service is the laundry service. It is housed in the basement of building 15, which is adjacent to our building, #12. The way laundry works is that each person in the village gets a mesh bag for colored clothes and a mesh bag for white clothes. The bags have a bar code that is scanned together with your credential when you drop the laundry off. The laundry is washed and dried in the bags. If you load your bag up with too many clothes it will come back soggy. When we first arrived they didn't quite have it figured out and I felt bad for the people in charge. It is rough to keep up with an entire village worth of laundry, and as I mentioned with the food the athletic community can be extremely demanding. The room wasn't well organized. Lines to pick-up or drop off were 30-45 minutes and it was taking 2-3 days to get clothing back. They figured it out quickly, and the service has become extremely efficient. No more than 2-3 minutes for pick-up and delivery, and morning drop offs are back the same day. Sometimes I am overwhelmed helping with the laundry we have for four people in our house. I can't even fathom what it takes to do laundry for 20,000 people.
USOPC Athlete Services
The USOPC has its own athlete services it provides for Team USA athletes. This includes a medical clinic, recovery center, mental health center, and athlete resource center. The athlete resource center has a lounge, snacks, coffee, etc. and is only for the athletes. It's a spot for them to get away without leaving the building and interact with some other USA athletes from other teams. It's a bit more challenging here because they don't want people spending considerable amounts of time in there. The other great part of the athlete resource center at previous Games is that they provide tickets to other sporting events so that athletes can support the mission of Team USA. You can request what you want to see and they search for the tickets. Obviously, that isn't a possibility here in Tokyo. All athletes and staff are only allowed to enter and watch contests in their own venues.
The Question
One of the questions I often field from people who want to know about the village is in regards to who I see walking around. Did I see this basketball player or that tennis player? What were they like? Don't get me wrong. I love to be here with all the other countries in a peaceful environment, and I am proud to be a part of Team USA. I understand the interest, but I could care less about who I see. You could be in awe of everyone so you don't have to be in awe of anyone. That is the beauty of the village. I am here to support thirteen women named Ashleigh Johnson, Maddie Musselman, Melissa Seidemann, Rachel Fattal, Paige Hauschild, Maggie Steffens, Stefania Haralabidis, Jamie Neushul, Aria Fischer, Kaleigh Gilchrist, Makenzie Fischer, Alys Williams, and Amanda Longan. They provide me all the inspiration, motivation, and awe I need. As far as I am concerned they are as big as anyone in this village. I only have so much time left with them and the staff I work with. That is where my attention is focused. The best I can do is watch our fellow Team USA athletes on TV and cheer for them when we have down time within our own program.
We have started playing and I promise to get to that soon, but it is time for bed. Thanks for your support of our team. I appreciate you, and we appreciate you. May you and your family be happy and healthy.
Dan
VILLAGE LIFE - VOLUME ONE
Hi Everyone –
I hope all is well for you and your family. I've gone away from trying to label days and am trying to cover relevant subject matter people might find interesting. I mentioned our move in and wanted to cover a little bit about the village life. As I mentioned before the village is located in the city, on the bay. When the area transitions to a residential area for citizens of Tokyo following the Paralympic Games it will be known as "The Bay Zone." In the international zone they have a display with the model pictured below that describes the layout and plan for this development. Because of the costs associated with the residential developments in Olympic Villages, it is important they have a solid plan for future use.
The Motto and the Flags
Each Olympic Games has a motto. My favorite in my Olympic Journey was "Inspire A Generation." That was in London 2012. In Tokyo the motto is "United By Emotion." You see this motto across the city of Tokyo, throughout the village, and throughout each venue. What I like about each of these is that they are open to your own interpretation. What does it mean to you and how do you realize it.
In the picture below you will also see the flags displayed in the international zone in the village. The Greek flag is always displayed as it is the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. In addition you see the Japanese flag, the United Nations Flag, the Olympic Flags, and lastly, the purple one is the Tokyo Flag.
The Food
Obviously, fueling high level athletes to perform at a peak level is a critical component of the Olympic Village. There are several eating options within the village. The main dining hall has two floors and offers foods from around the world. You can eat as healthy or as bad as you want. Nothing is gourmet because they have to produce it in mass quantity, but any basic food you can think of is found here. Besides various cultural foods they also have halal and gluten free options available. The food service area looks like an umbrella. There is hot food served in a horseshoe along the back wall and there is self service cold food available down the center. The rest of the area is seating. This is probably the highest risk area and the place the majority of the interaction with other countries takes place. Each person must wear gloves and a mask while getting their food. Once you sit down each seat has plastic protection surrounding you. It is hard to hear. I have been much better at reading lips since being here. This food service in the main dining hall is open in some capacity 24 hours.
My favorite area to eat is the casual dining. It is located in the athlete service center and focuses on more traditional Japanese cuisine. Our staff eats there at least once a day. They have incredible service, and you are surrounded by signage describing the various regions of Japan. When you arrive you are greeted by incredibly friendly staff with traditional Japanese dress. It is a much smaller space but the foot traffic is minimal and there always seems to be space. Same serving rules apply, but the casual dining closes at 9 PM and opens at 7 AM.
An additional option if you are in a hurry are the grab and go stations. These have minimal food options such as bars, fruit, and pre-made sandwiches. They close earlier the day. In addition to these grab and go stations there are hydration machines around the village with Coke, Sprite, water, Aquarius (sports nutrition drink, Powerade, and cold coffee. When you get to the village you get a little fob that can be waved in front of the machine. This allows you to select a drink and have it dispensed by the machine.
The last, and saddest news in the eating department is that McDonalds is no longer associated with the Olympic Village. Every Olympic Games I have attended has included a McDonalds in the main dining hall. This time there isn't one. It is interesting that this saddens me since I visit McDonalds once every 4 years, but it was always comforting to see the golden arches. Like it or not those fries are good and they have been a part of some celebratory meals in the past.
I realize I spent a bit of time on the food, but we all know that it is important to experience. Often when people describe trips or vacations food is included in their assessment of the experience. That is no different here. What the dining staff pull off in the Olympic Village is nothing short of a miracle. The people of athletics are particular and needy (and yes, I am including myself in that). I commend the dining staff for their effort, their positive attitude, and their execution. And while I am at it, this is something UCI dining pulls off year round. They serve thousands of students, faculty, and staff daily with incredible kindness and respect. My appreciation to all of the hard working people who take care of the Anteater community. Thank you, Thank You, Thank You.
I have some catching up to do, but that is it for today. Village Life Volume 2 will be released as quickly as possible. I hope you enjoy the info. My best to you and your families. May you be happy and healthy.
Dan
VILLAGE ARRIVAL
Hi Everyone –
I hope all is well. I'll get right to it.
On day 8 we moved from The New Otani Hotel in Chiba to the Olympic Village. We had breakfast, packed up two buses, and we were off. It was a free for all on the elevators that morning. Gen showed up to say goodbyes, but they let us ride any elevator on our way to the lobby. Everyone from the hotel and pool staff came to say goodbye and wish us luck. It was really nice.
It took us about 45 minutes to get from the hotel to the transportation check point outside of processing. We brought our luggage in on airport carts and once we were inside the building the loading it on trucks to be delivered to our USA building, #12. At each major event, including FINA World Championships, Pan American Games, and the Olympic Games you receive an accreditation. This allows you to access to certain venues, depending on your sport, and all areas of the Olympic village. At the processing center your accreditation is activated and turned into a lanyard that you are expected to wear at all times. Each country has varying levels of technology within their accreditations. In Japan when you enter the village they scan your accreditation while scanning your face in order to be allowed to enter. After you pass that check point you are required to do a temperature check via your wrist. At the venues and within the village all checks are visual and don't utilize technology. The process to get accreditations was extremely quick, and before we knew it we were on a bus taking us to our building.
We arrived to our building fairly quickly, had a quick meeting with the USOPC operations personnel near the elevators, got our keys, and we were off to our rooms. In previous Olympic Games, when a pandemic isn't looming, we have an in person processing meeting for 45 minutes to 1 hour in the village. The explain the rules, give safety information, explain USOPC and village services, and give you're a visual overview of the village. And…you guessed it. We did that via Zoom in the hotel the day before. Probably should have bought some of that stock in January 2020. I can't escape Zoom no matter where I go.
We are on the 8
th floor of our building with an incredible view of the bay and Tokyo. We have three successive apartments. One for staff and two for the athletes. Each has four bedrooms and one bathroom. Currently, the apartments are made for the Games. The apartments will likely be redesigned when the Olympic and Paralympic Games are completed. There is no kitchen. The only running water is in the bathroom. The only other space is a common space/living room with a couch and TV. The walls are made of thin drywall and haven't been finished.
A really exciting element of the Games for the athletes is the Team USA processing. This is where they pick up their team gear provided by Ralph Lauren and Nike. Usually that is a stop you make on your way to the village. In Athens and London it was at our training local training base in those cities. On our way to Rio we stopped in Houston and went through processing in a downtown hotel. In the COVID era this had to be reimagined, and unfortunately it wasn't much of an event to share with other teams and USOPC staff. Everyone had to send in their sizes ahead of time and their equipment was waiting in their rooms when we arrived. I am sure they had a good time trying their stuff on together, but it certainly didn't create the same progressive level of excitement on the way to the village. As usual these ladies role with whatever comes and find a way to make things fun.
In the coach apartment we spent 2-3 hours organizing the room upon arrival. It would all make sense later but we had four tables, 20 chairs, and a giant white board blocking our door when we first arrived. Another change in the COVID era is a lack of team meeting space. We learned that there won't be any additional space available to us so our living room will serve as the pre-game and video session meeting space. That means we have to live the clean life in the coach apartment. No slobs allowed.
We have our system set up and running smoothly. Morning coffee time with the French press post saliva test is the norm. And then the day rolls on. That is all for now. More to come soon. May you be happy and healthy.
Dan
DAYS FOUR, FIVE, SIX AND SEVEN
I hope you are all having a great week. I am finally starting to feel acclimated to the time change here in Japan. As I mentioned before the 14 hour time change pretty much flips your days on their head. Usually we are all a bit quicker to be acclimated, but the lack of time in the daylight has likely effected our bodies response to the change. The Dutch team is only five hours forward from their usual time so they seem to be a bit more chipper.
I haven't mentioned much about our training, and wanted to fill everyone in on what that looks like. Since arriving to Chiba we have maintained a similar schedule each day. Since the days are similar I tried to include stuff from the remainder of our stay.
We lift in a weight room very near the aquatics facility from 9:30-11 AM. The facility has a membership base that attend classes, but the gym also serves as the training center for an American football team called the seagulls. We haven't seen them training, but the room is designed for them and their signage is everywhere. There will be some pictures below. I am always interested in the different ways different countries use space. This facility is indoor and is inside a shared building. Surrounding the gym are a Gap style clothing store, an acupuncture center, and an arcade. You have to walk through the arcade to get to the gym. Luke and Skyler would love it because there are lots of Pokémon and Mario Bros. toys to win in there. Below the gym is a McDonalds. A McFlurry has been sounding better and better each day we walk by. But we can't go in McDonalds. It is forbidden! For some reason we can't wear our shoes in the gym but everyone else can. We have a space set aside for us, but we can see the other people, and they have shoes. We also can't have bare feet so we all wear our socks. The weight room has everything we need, and the people managing the facility have been extremely kind. The watchful eye is hard to get used to but it is harmless. Today I had to use the restroom during the weight session, and I had an escort to and from the weights. I don't know where they think I would go, but it is possible they have read my thoughts and know I want a McFlurry. And if anyone is wondering I have been working out. As all my athletes know I am in a life fitness phase of life as opposed to peak fitness so my workouts look a little different than the athletes.
After weights we have an hour and a half in the pool. We walk there from the gym. That is our big seven minute period outdoors. I try to imagine the Vitamin D soaking into my skin and hope it is speeding up the process. The aquatics center is a beautiful facility. It has a 50 meter pool where water polo and the Dutch swimming team train, and a 25 meter pool where the Dutch artistic (synchronized) swimming team trains. It's still a bit hot in there, but there are high ceilings with good airflow. We have the pool to ourselves in the morning. We have a separate entrance and team room from the Dutch team. They have thought of most things including towels, water, and ice for the athletes. This time is usually for individual skills, tactics, and conditioning. When we get to the village training time is limited. With the tournament being two weeks long this period is critical to ensure our fitness lasts.
When training is completed we head back to the hotel for lunch, video, and "rest." We go everywhere by bus. It is about a 15 minute trip each way. Most of what we drive by is industrial or sport related. We drive by soccer fields, the local pro baseball stadium, and a Costco. I have to ask myself why I am so addicted because even though I don't need anything I want to go inside that Costco and see what they have. It is important to note that the driver sits on the right and they drive opposite of the way we do in the US. I had always assumed because of our connections to Japan that this would be the same, but I shouldn't assume and now I know. Once when I was going to Australia with the team and I had to drive a massive van with the team. I was really nervous because of the size of the vehicle and the precious cargo. I had never driven opposite before and I confided in Andrew that I was scared. He told me "curb to the left." Everywhere I drove in Australia I would repeat that in my head over and over. I also drove in the very left lane whenever possible. Now everywhere I go where they drive opposite of us in the US that still goes through my mind whether I am driving or not.
During the first few days there was a massive Sumo tournament going on in Japan. A lot of our afternoon included Sumo on TV. Even if we were doing something else it was on in the background. Besides the entertainment factor it is a great snapshot of Japanese culture and traditions. When an actual match isn't taking place there is a lot of traditional activity that takes place at the tournament. Fortunately, we had Gen to fill us in on the meaning behind many of the rituals. It is always fun to learn about something new and be entertained at the same time. At the end of the tournament the current Yokozuna, or highest ranking sumo wrestler, Hakuho, held onto his title with a win.
With lunch finished and an afternoon rest period that seems to last forever we train with the Dutch in the evening from 7-9 PM. They are a talented and physical team, and we couldn't ask for better preparation for the Games. We alternate days where we play four quarters with days where we play mostly extra man. I have had to officiate throughout the series, which has been tough. My connection to the ladies on our team is important to me, and important to them, at this phase of the process, and we all know that none of us feel a deep connection to a referee when a water polo game is over.
We eat dinner at 9:30 PM, which makes it a challenge to get settled down and get enough rest to repeat our schedule the next day.
The last thing that is extremely important to mention in our team liaison from Japan, Toshi. In most countries we visit where there is a potential language barrier we have a guide or liaison. Toshi has been with our team from the moment we left the airport, and she will be with us until we transfer to the village. She is there when we wake up until we finish dinner and retreat to our rooms. And when we relax, she is working. You ask her a question and she usually has an answer in minutes. But if she doesn't, she is relentless, and will work until a solution is found. She does all of this with a good attitude. She laughs with us, jokes with us, and cheers for us. Incredible and amazing come to mind, but don't quite create imagery powerful enough. It's something you feel. You feel taken care of. Regardless of the challenges we have faced here we owe a lot to her.
That's it for today. Thanks for reading and sharing in our journey. My best to all of you back home. May you be happy and healthy.
Dan
DAYS TWO AND THREE
Every day starts the same. We get up and meet at the room reserved for our meals. How we get to that room is a process in itself. I live on the 11
th floor with 3 other staff members. The remainder of the team is on the 14
th floor. Our dining room is on the 24
th floor. Seems simple, you get on the elevator and take it to the 24
th floor, right? Not so fast. Our team is allowed to use one specific elevator. A staff member assigned to our floor meets us near the elevators, and requires us to wait until all 4 people living on the 11
th floor are ready to go. Then he/she messages the elevator operator, Gen, and he comes to get us. Gen is cool. He lived in New York for 7 years. He understands our banter and laughs with us. He is in that elevator every day. Once we get up to the 24
th floor we eat breakfast, right? Not so fast again. We take our temperature at the hand sanitizer station. It gives you a serving of hand sanitizer, takes your temperature, and talks to you. "Normal Temperature." We do our daily symptom check on the OCHA application created for the Olympic Games, and then we pick up our testing kits labeled 1-20 at the front table. 1-20 because we have 20 people in our travel party. I am number 3. Once you have your kit you sit at your dining table, break open the kit, and start spitting until you have 1.5 mL. We can't eat, drink, or brush our teeth 30 minutes before so this can take a bit. After you finish creating your sample for the test you are required to package it a very specific way. You put a sticker with your number on the vile. The vile is wrapped in a small cloth and put in a small bag. Then you take a rubber band and wrap it the small bag. Next you put the small bag into a big bag, and wrap it so it is nearly the size of the vile and displays your number. Lastly, you put another rubber band around the larger bag and carefully place it into a box. That goes on every morning we are in Chiba. Sorry for all the details, but I wanted you to get a picture of how tedious it is. Our test results are usually presented to us just before bed in the evening. All is great thus far.
If you didn't have an appetite before, now that you have sat around in a room with 19 other people spitting you are ready to eat breakfast. Breakfast is self-serve, but each of us have to put on a pair of plastic gloves and wear our masks while preparing our plates. The food has been good. Plenty of everything you need to be satisfied. The dining tables have plastic partitions between each of us. It is weird, but we do our best to enjoy our meals together as we would under normal circumstances.
The dining room has an incredible view of Chiba, the coastline, and Tokyo on the opposite side of the bay. Today I could even make out a paddle boarder, from the window, traversing the bay. I often joke with my friends and family that I have been to a lot of places and seen a lot of pools and hotels. It is true that we spend a lot of our time on national team trips at training and in the hotel, but we do have small opportunities to walk around the cities where we stay, maybe grab a coffee each day, and interact with the local people in some fashion. The picture below is the best it gets for us in Chiba. In fact, you might as well be here because you have seen as much as me. Over the course of the first two days in Chiba we have been outside for 7 total minutes. The majority of that was walking from the weight room to the pool, which are on opposite sides of the street. It is a bit rough, but we are here on a mission so we will make it work.
We when we leave the hotel the elevator process is the same and we have to take a special path from the elevator to the front door in order to avoid contact with other hotel guests. Even though we have already done it 10 times there are always 10 different workers pointing which direction we must go and ensuring we don't stray off course. The New Otani is an incredible hotel and it is a shame we can't move around a bit to see the art and beautifully decorated rooms.
Each other meal we have, which usually coincide with our return from training, has the same process minus the testing component. We sit at the same tables in the same room. The rest of the day when we aren't training, eating, or watching video is spent on our floors. The rooms are big with good beds, but after 2 days I feel like I have been here for 10. It's just part of what Tokyo 2021 is. Everyone is doing their best to occupy their time connecting with their teammates and fellow staff members, catching up on sleep and acclimating to the time shift, and reigniting passion for individual hobbies. We are not in a bad space, it is just more restrictive than we are used to.
I will stop myself there for today. Training is very similar each day and I will try to cover the daily schedule and our training conditions in my next post. Thanks again for reading and caring. May you all be happy and healthy!
Dan
DAY ONE
When I was departing my house on Tuesday there were a lot of emotions that came up. I am excited for these women. They worked overtime, committing an additional year to this Olympic "quad" in order to see their dream realized. I respect these women so much and I am thankful Tokyo, and the people of Japan, have found a way to make the Olympic Games happen in 2021. I was also sad. Leaving your family for 27 days is not something I recommend to anyone. Families are a big part of this process. The families of our players and staff have sacrificed more than just time apart to make this Olympic Games possible. During the pandemic our families sacrificed freedoms and had to continue to commit to protocols and safety measures to keep our bubble safe. Those sacrifices were above and beyond. They all deserve to experience this Olympic Games too, but unfortunately that isn't possible. Now that we are officially on the road I hope our families can feel some relief and enjoy themselves a little bit more. I know they will all find creative ways to enjoy our games with friends and family. Thank you Natalie, Skyler, and Luke for all that you have done to help me arrive to Japan.
Day 1 was mostly travel. This Olympic Games will require adaptability and patience, and day 1 provided opportunities for both. We arrived at LAX to find a line of our fellow Olympic Teams at check in. Most of us have premier status on United Airlines because they are the current USOPC airline partner. Usually the premier line offers a quick and efficient check in process, but not when everyone on the plane is premier status and not when every passenger must have their COVID test and additional travel documentation for Japan thoroughly screened. Myself and the fellow coaches spent about 90 minutes in our first line of the day. I am not complaining. It went by fairly quickly, and I got the opportunity to visit with three of my favorite UCI athletics heroes,
David Smith,
Brian Thornton, and
John Speraw, who are members of the USA men's volleyball team.
Check in killed enough time that we only had 15 minutes in the terminal before boarding began. And boarding was quick. Although the plane had a lot of the USA Olympic delegation from men's volleyball, surfing, and women's water polo, it was a ghost town. Everyone in coach had their own row if they wanted it. Japan has major travel restriction, so outside of us, there were only a few families aboard. Eleven hours, several naps, a meal, and a few classic movies later we were in Japan, albeit it was Wednesday afternoon because of the 16 hour time difference. And that's when the fun begin.
After we deplaned we were lined up in a special area, surrounded by several workers with plastic covering every inch of their bodies, and escorted through the secure immigration process created for the Olympic Games. They separated us into teams and used 4 different people to count us 5 different times. The math came out to 20 all 20 times. We then moved onto the processing center pictured below. They had chairs numbered through 300. We are lucky that we arrived after the earliest groups but before most. The process was fairly refined and there wasn't a huge line. After checking our QR codes, testing documentation, and immigration documentation we were moved to testing. UCI has afforded me numerous opportunities for career development. I never thought the saliva testing we did on campus would be put to future use. I was wrong. The tests in Japan, including the one at the airport, are saliva collection tests. Needless to say I put my training to good use. I killed it and filled the vile in one shot. I would like to thank UCI and the campus lab for preparing me to perform in Tokyo. I was even able to use my skill set to help prepare my team with tactical and technical advice.
After testing was complete it felt like we zigzagged across the airport as we were taken to three separate waiting rooms for 10 minutes each. Finally, we made it to customs. We collected our luggage, gave fingerprint scans, and showed our documents one last time. They moved us around enough and the lines were short enough that it seemed to go by quickly. They started escorting us outside with our luggage. I had this vision that we were on our way to the bus to head to the hotel, but I was wrong. It was a fake out. They had us drop our luggage near the place the bus would eventually pick us up and escorted us to another holding room. This one would be our home for the next three hours. We had to wait for our test results to come back before we were released to officially enter Japan. There were six people with clipboards and radios monitoring us the entire time. If you wanted to go to the bathroom you had a chaperone and a camera was taping your movement from the holding room to the restroom. After two hours they came in to let us know that one of the tests had come back inconclusive, and we would need to wait another hour for the test to be run again. In the meantime they handed out forms to each of us explaining that someone we were in contact with was suspected of having COVID and explained the process for isolation. It was all for not as the retest came back negative. Everyone handled the situation extremely well. There were card games, movies, snack parties, etc.
There was a loud cheer when we were told we had all been cleared. We lined up one more time and headed to the bus. The travel time was about 45 minutes from Tokyo Narita airport to the New Otani Hotel in Chiba City where we have a seven day training camp with the Netherlands team before checking into the village. We arrived at 7:45 PM and had dinner at 8 PM. Meals are a unique experience, but I will save that for the next installment. After we ate we crashed. After a year delay we have made it. Our feet are on the ground in Japan and it appears that the Games are moving forward. Thanks for all your continued love and support.
More to come! May you all be happy and healthy.
Dan
