Daniel McCormick is representing the USA as a Judo Olympian in Beijing, China. Daniel is a former student of Jim Irvine. (Jim is an instructor at the club who recently came to us from Texas). The head instructor for Daniel during his 10 years in Dallas was “Ace” Sukigara assisted by Judy Choquette)

Well, the trip has gone well thusfar. We have been trying to get used to the time difference and our schedule so we will be prepared for our competition.

Our first stop was in San Jose, California where we underwent our team processing. We got a ridiculous amount of clothes which included a suit for opening ceremonies, 4 pairs of shoes, and too many shorts and shirts to count. Some of my teammates and I went through a 3 hour Olympic Ambassador program to prepare for the press and the cultural differences we may encounter in China.

We arrived here, in Beijing, on August 1, and tonight is our 5th night in The Village. The brutal 11 hour and 34 minute flight (who was counting?) was rough but it was well worth it. The Village is amazing. They have really rolled out the red carpet for us here. It is my first Olympic team but many of the veterans have told me that this is by far the nicest village of any Olympic Games they have been to. I am rooming with Travis Stevens our 81 kilo fighter. The rooms are small but we have a fairly large dining/tv/meeting/anything esle room for the 6 of us in that room to congregate in. We are just across the hall from the coaches and managers and down the hall from our female members of the team. The food is a mad rush. There are tons of athletes here adn we are all very hungry 24/7. There is always someone eating. There is also a free Macdonalds in the dining hall that I have made my way to once or twice.

Our typical day to this point has been:
7:30a - wake up and eat breakfast
10a - meet downstairs to walk to bus for training
1030a - bus leaves for BNU (Beijing Normal University) for training
11-1230p - training
1p - lunch
3p - bus back to village
after that the rest of the day is free for us to enjoy

The USOC has basically rented out Beijing Normal University for all of our sports to train at. It is amazing. The facilities are great and the people are even better. They have flown in staff member from all across the US to help us. They have a huge gym with new equipment for us. Along with our own private mat space to practice on. This is much better then what the majority of the countries are having to do. They all share mat space with other countries and it is very crowded. The food at BNU is very good as well. They have it catered by a catering company in NYC. The people serving us and cooking for us are all culinary students that are here for the month specifically for the US athletes.

I have done some shopping at the "Official Olympic Store" which I have decided is basically the "Official Expensive Store." I am trying to pace myself because I know I am only a few days into my 26 day trip. But I find it difficult because of all the momentos I want to bring home for everyone.

Yesterday we made our way to the "Silk Market" which has to be the knock off capital of the world. It is 7 floors of people grabbing and yelling at you to buy the "name brand" goods. Being that I am not a very touchy person it was not the most enjoyable experience of my life. But it was a very interesting trip and I'm glad I saw it.

Today was the bearing of the flag ceremony. This is when Old Glory is raised for the first time in Olympic Village in preparation for The Games. This was only about a 30 minute ceremony but it gave me goosebumps watching them raise the flag with our national anthem playing. After this ceremony we went to a reception where we got to mingle with the "big whigs" as Leo White our Team Leader explained to me. This had many USOC and IOC board members along with the Mayor of Olympic Village and the US Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt, Jr. I have attached a photo of myself with Mr. Randt.

After the reception we went to the mess hall and when I was walking to our table I saw Dirk Nowitski. I had food and he had food so I was unable to get a photo with him. Between the food and my jaw dragging on the floor it was difficult for me to stumble back to my table. The rest of the team was giving me alot of grief for being star struck. I guess they don't know that that is Dallas Maverick superstar Dirk Nowitski. Must be another Dirk Nowitski they're thinking of.

I have attached a photo of myself with Mr. Randt, along with a photo of our building in The Village, a photo from the bearing of the colors ceremony and a photo of a few of my teammates by the Olympic Tree Monument.

I hope all is well.

Daniel