The Today Show at the Olympic Park July 27, 2012

So this is in Note Form, it's not perfect. Just enjoy. :)

Mitt the Twit. Fantastic, the US showing how rude we are. Whose place is it to question the readiness of a host country? The Olympics are not supposed to be about Politics, they are about unity, athletics and peace. Both he and his wife are in London. Ann’s horse is apparently competing in the Dressage event here. Mitt will not be watching it because “this is kind of a busy time” for him. Now Mitt says “London is ready”. He is saying some things I agree with and others I don’t. It should be an interesting race this year.

Olympic relay-The torch via Royal Barge is at city hall (“fencing mask”). The torch has traveled through the UK by “community heroes”. It will be moved secretly to the Olympic Stadium before tonight.

Opening Stadium-Quirky, Cinematic, Funny, British. This is what the reporters have said. I am beyond excited. They had 30 seconds of video and it looks awesome. Too bad I have to wait until 2:30 am.

Swimming Showdown- Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. The 2 are apparently friendly outside the pool. Michael is more of a “machine” outside the pool and Ryan is a “free spirit”. Michael has slept in a hyper-baric chamber to reach a higher lung capacity while Ryan has done “strong man” training.

David Beckham-He hopes the games show the world that a traditional country they are. He is excited, and he “has a role in the opening ceremony” but can’t sat anything. Torch Bearer? He also wishes he was playing, and is “always a fan” of both GB and the US.

Venues-

Olympic Stadium (also for track in field)

Sting Ray (Aquatics center)

Copper Box (Handball Stadium/Fencing)

Basket Ball Arena (Temporary, used as backdrop for lighting displays)

Pringle (Veladrome, cycling track)

Orbit (viewing platform, largest “art piece” in Britain)

Other events (soccer, tennis, etc) are at famous venues like Wimbledon

Medals-largest and heaviest in history. Nike (as usual) on one side and the 2012 logo on the other side. Nike is the goddess of victory; on the medal she is leaving the Parthenon for the host city. Medal etiquette-don’t put it on unless you won it. If only. Also, the queen received a set this past week.

Women’s Field Hockey Team- They are all really sweet, they said the 24 hour food service can be a problem J

Michelle Obama’s “Lets Move” Project is in London. They invited US military families and underprivileged UK families to the ambassadors lawn to play and meet Olympians. She is really looking forward to tennis and swimming. The president won’t be able to make it but she is thrilled to be there. She watched the Olympics as a child with her dad who had MS and was a former athlete, so watching the games was all he had left. I love things like that. It’s really amazing for her to get the chance to be there.

The Fab Five-US women’s gymnastics team. They are 15-18…a really young team. Kyla and one other gymnast (McKayla?) made a pact as children to make it to the Olympics and they did. They have seen Phelps and Lochte and the volleyball girls, they hope to see Usain Bolt. They also met Ryan Secrest. They. are. so. Adorable.

Food-Brick Lane in East London. International food tour. St. John’s is British. They are serving pig (blood cake). What about vegetarian food? Ryan Secrest is apparently lactose intolerant.

Olympic Mascots and athletes- Wenlock (?) is the dancing not talking mascot. Hunter Kemper is the team captain for USA, 4^th Olympics he is a triathlete. He started at age 10 and came in 7^th in 2008. Race is in an open venue. He’s teaching the ladies how to cheer. He is really funny. I like him.

Shawn Johnson is working as a correspondent for the 2012 Olympics.

Ryan Secrest- his photo album is funny, I like it. Showed a behind the scenes video of the opening ceremony. Said there were many “WOW” moments.

Phelps Family- Mother says they feel great. Says they only talk to him between swims and through text. He only needs 3 medals of any color to be the most decorated Olympian. Ever. They have a granddaughter in the stands this year, one of his sister’s kids. I’m interested in the name. His sisters are Hilary and Whitney.

Swim team’s “Call me maybe”-fantastic. I loved it, except for a few parts being too fast it’s really good. And I love the song anyway, so it can’t really be bad.

Jordyn and Gabby’s mothers- Say that it feels like a dream. Even though they don’t see their kids they feel comfortable being in the same country. They are nervous for each event but beam is always the scariest. They grew up together (TOPS, etc) and they should enjoy their time here and “soak up every moment”.

Clothing- Ralph Lauren designed the United States’ opening ceremony outfits. I like them. The look a little frumpy at first but they are very very stylish. Nike is doing some US sports wear, Speedo is doing swimming. Stella M. designed the GB competitive wear. Armani is doing Italian opening ceremony; Bob Marley’s daughter is doing Jamaican clothing. Spain is using a Russian designer, and the athletes are not very happy.  

US women’s boxing team- 1^st time it’s in the Olympics. Women’s boxing is the same as men’s, just different rounds.

Mary Carillo (NBC correspondent) - It’s the 50^th anniversary of James Bond. In Wales, bog snorkeling, the land was beautiful. Went to high tea at the Twining Tea Shop.

Women’s Shooting-One went to cooking school in Italy and the others restore vintage cars. The “new girl” says everyone told her that the Opening Ceremony is when you feel like an Olympian for the first time. She also used to be a barista at Starbucks.  

Kathie Lee and Hoda set up a mock Olympics in NYC. There are little girls in the back doing gymnastics, adorable. Missy (17 year old swimmer) has a size 13 foot. The US team has more females then males. And all 205 countries have females as well as males competing. Lolo Jones (knocked over a hurdle) is competing again. 2 time woman fencing champion is carrying the flag (NAME?). Kathie Lee’s jokes à

Why isn’t suntanning an Olympic sport? The best you can get is bronze.

Why shouldn’t you date a tennis player? Love means nothing.

Why shouldn’t you trust a volleyball player with your drink? They might spike it.

Ok, this is all for today, look for more to come!!