Day 8: Marathon Day
Berlin, Germany: The sun is back in Berlin!
It was another huge day for us in Berlin and another terrible day for the
Americans in Berlin. What is it with the Americans that we can't get the
stick around the oval? It is nearly embarrassing. We suck at the men's
marathon too, by the way. However, the marathon course went directly in
front of our hotel, so we were outside (with our Starbucks coffees) to watch
the runners go by.
Berlin architecture
The runners in front of the Sony Center in Berlin
Speed racers
DT and I followed the course down to the Brandenburg Gate -
the eventual finish line for the race. Thousands of people lined the course
and were cheering. Music was playing. Food carts were everywhere. It was an
event.
American Embassy in Berlin
Holocaust Memorial in Berlin
Racers passing through the Brandenburg Gate during the marathon
Racers heading toward the Brandenburg Gate
SEAT Auto dealership near the Brandenburg Gate
More architecture
RV in Berlin
Mini dealership in Berlin
We walked all the way to the NIKE Athletic Hospitality
center to watch the end of the marathon on the big screen. The winner, Abel
Kirui of Kenya, wore a brand-new pair of NIKE's during the race! Not
broken-in at all. No blisters, and a winner. Lucky knucklehead? At the
athletic center today we talked to Nick Symmonds and saw many other
athletes, including LaShawn Merritt.
Berlin Olympic Stadium Saturday evening
Time to head for the track. It was a beautiful night in
Berlin. The stadium was completely full again and the Germans were doing
very well in every event it seemed. No such luck for the Yanks. Bad enough
that the men's 4x100 team was mysteriously disqualified overnight, the US
women dropped the baton on the second hand-off. It is up to the men tomorrow
in the 4x400.
400 meter champion LaShawn Merritt received his medal from Michael Johnson
Bahamas first leg in the 4x100
German 4x100 team won the bronze and celebrated with "Berlino the Bear"
Asafa Powell prepares to anchor the victorious Jamaican 4x100 team
This was one of the earliest nights out of the stadium -
back to the hotel before 10p, which meant time for dinner. We walked for a
while and found a nice place to dine outside, under the trees, in a quiet
alley with no traffic noise. Very nice. Guess what I ordered? Hey, give me a
break... we are only here for one more day.
They all look alike and basically all taste alike
My travel partner ordered veal goulash with spatzle - paprika-loaded and
delicious
Otto Bock Building in Berlin
At night the Sony Center is very colorful
Here
is a photo of a billboard all around town. Not exactly sure, but it from the
electric company - they are a big sponsor of the World Track & Field
Championships. I have no idea why this guy is loading a dishwasher with
discus, but I enjoy it just the same.
Another great day of track and field, but not a good day for the Americans -
with the fine exception of Gold Medal Winner, Dwight Phillips, in the long
jump.
We also witnessed yet another World Record tonight (though I suppose this
one will not make the papers) in the women's hammer. Anita Wlodarczyk of
Poland threw 77.95 meters to break the world record - and won a gold medal.
Kara Goucher runs the marathon tomorrow and Nick Symmonds races in the 800m
final. Until my next update - my last from Olympic Stadium - I remain, your
"think good thoughts" correspondent.