Olympic Diary - Day Four, Feb. 11, 2002

February 11, 2002

by Lori Scott Fogleman

Baylor University graduate Erika Snoberger, who is covering all speed skating events for the U.S. Olympic Committee at the Winter Olympics, is filing a daily diary with Baylor Public Relations, as she experiences the "shining moments" that only the Games can provide.

Day Four - Monday, Feb. 11, 2002

Yesterday at the women's 3000m race, an athlete told reporters that even now, the fact that she is at the Olympic Winter Games hasn't "sunk in yet."
That's kind of how I feel! When I was watching my third event this afternoon, the first day of the men's 500m, I just sat back and thought, wow, am I really here? There are quite a few things that are turning out to be just as people said...take languages, for instance. It's really true...when you're at a world event like this, you hear a different language in each ear, no matter where you go! It's so neat to just listen sometimes - and sometimes, you don't even recognize what language it is!
The U.S. had another great day on the ice. The men's 500m is divided into two days since the distance is so short, and that makes the skaters vulnerable (especially on the fast ice here in SLC!) to falls and other mistakes. It sure showed today, too. Lots of frontrunners lost it on turns, or even just tripping on the straightaways! It's turning into a really exciting event this year. Tomorrow, they'll wrap it up to decided medal winners. Right now, Americans are in first (with a new Olympic record!) and third places.
The events are getting more and more crowded - both with spectators and with press. I have a feeling that once short track starts to roll around, it's going to be a zoo. Wednesday is the first day of short track, and there's a long track event that day, too. I'll be busy!
So, for now, I'm going to take off a bit earlier than usual and get ready for the rest of the week!

Erika