Emily Post Is Smiling: U.S. Olympians Attend Etiquette Course
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Bremer Says Athletes Calling
Course The Bode Miller Show |
The USOC for the first time required all 596 Olympians to attend a "crash course on Chinese culture" before traveling to Beijing, according to a front-page piece by Christopher Rhoads of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. The USOC are calling the initiative the "ambassador program," but some athletes "have another name for it: the Bode Miller show." U.S. modern pentathlon athlete Eli Bremer: "The USOC isn't calling it that, but everyone knows what this is about." Bremer added that the program is about "avoiding a repetition of what happened" during the '06 Turin Games, where the U.S. skier was "more interested in partying than winning." Rhoads reports the course includes "role-playing and group games and typically lasts two days." It was held in five different cities and "covered educational topics such as what the five interlocking Olympic rings represent," as well as how "to hold the American flag during a victory lap." The program "also taught athletes to go along with rituals that might seem silly." In the past, the USOC "devoted no more than about 15 minutes to behavioral guidance" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/6). In Denver, John Meyer writes, "The idea was to make the athletes think twice about conduct that could embarrass the team" (DENVER POST, 8/6).
INSIDE THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE: The CP's Jim Morris reported "things are going so well" for Canadian Olympians at the Games that Canadian Chef de Mission Sylvie Bernier "is actually looking for something to complain about." Bernier: "I am trying to find problems. ... The athletes are very pleased with the village and the training venues and competition sites. Most have been here for (test events), but to come back and see all the improvements that have been made." Bernier added, "Every athlete that we have talked to is very impressed and amazed by the quality of this village. Personally, I have never seen such a nice village in nine Games." Canadian archer J.D. Burnes: "It's one of the nicest apartments I've ever stayed in. The food is tremendous. There is so much selection. It covers everyone's tastes." Bernier said of the weather, "I have been here three days and two of the three were very nice. We are still confident that by the time the Games start the air quality will be good" (CP, 8/5).
ON THE MENU: In S.F., John Crumpacker reports the Olympic Village has "nearly 10,000 rooms in more than 3,000 apartments contained within 128 housing towers." Most of the U.S. team "are believed to be staying in the village, with the notable exception of the millionaires on the men's basketball team." Aramark Exec Dir of Food Services Catherine Toolan said that 70% of the food "comes from China, with various specialty items imported." She added that while Peking duck "is particularly popular with the athletes," pizza is also "very popular" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/6).
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