Prince Albert of Monaco

Backed by Visa, the Olympians Reunion Center celebrated its grand opening Thursday night at Prince Jun Palace in Beijing’s Central Business District.

The outdoor party on a humid evening was a gala to see and be seen. Among those mingling were International Olympic Committee member Anita DeFrantz, high jump greats Dick Fosbury and Dwight Stones, triple jumper Willie Banks and Namibia’s only Olympic medalist, sprinter Frankie Fredericks.

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The most comfortable person at the Palace, of course, was five-time bobsled Olympian Prince Albert of Monaco. He knows his way around a palace.

Quote Of The Day

Best quote of the pre-Olympic week so far has nothing to do with sports business, but everything to do with rhythm and poetry. When American Greco-Roman wrestler Dremiel Byers was asked his goal here, he said:

“I want to get my hand raised and our song played.”

It has a certain Cassius Clay element to it.

Internet Off Limits During Opening Ceremony

High jumping legend Dick Fosbury (left) and Prince Albert of Monaco at the Visa opening.

Journalists have been told the broadband and wireless Internet system at the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium will be turned off during Friday night’s opening ceremony. Apparently, BOCOG officials feared the network would be severely taxed if used by the thousands of journalists expected to attend.