News

Writing on the Row2k website, Heather talks about the wind-down after the party

Life of an Olympian after competition

Phew, so I know I had a blog entry a few days back that talked about how "boring" life of a competing Olympian could be…. well I take that back. What I would do for ten minutes of down time! Life here, once you are finished competition, is absolutely exhausting but incredibly fun!

I think I have slept a total of about eight hours since our race on Sunday. As someone who has rarely had much of a social life after about 10pm for the past four years, 3am nights is not characteristic of me at all! (I am known to my teammates as "MOMdoli" due to my often motherly behaviour.)

(more…)

Bookmark to:

Heather is writing on the US site Row2k 

Life of an Olympian

So life can be pretty boring during competition. We are staying out by the course in a hotel. Us, the Canadian team, as well as the American, Italian and Greek rowing teams are all out here in the same hotel. Though we don't have much interaction with the other teams, there are simply friendly exchanges in the hallways. We are quite isolated. There aren't any shops or cafes near by, and Shunyi (the closest city) is about a 15-20 min cab ride away.

(more…)

Bookmark to:

Writing on Row2k Heather Mandoli reflects on her journey to the Olympic regatta

Blogging confession

I'm going to take a bunch of steps back to about two weeks ago, when I put up my first blog entry… I have to admit this is my first time blogging. I was honored when I was asked by row2k to give a bit different view on what is happening here in Beijing. As a first time Olympian, Canadian, woman and competing athlete at these games, I may have a bit different view on how things are going here compared to the other fellow bloggers. So let me introduce myself (which I should have done about two weeks ago, sorry :-))
(more…)

Bookmark to:

Heather is blogging on Row2K the US-based rowing website.  She is in the Canadian Womens 8 at Beijing.  Link to Row2k blog post page

Opening ceremonies are finished, and the games have officially started! Medals have already been given out this morning for some events (I think shooting had some finals today), and things have really gotten underway! The rowing regatta starts this afternoon with some heats for Day one events. Those events are the singles, pairs, heavy doubles and heavy fours. For Canada we have entries in both the men's and women's pair events. It will be great to see some racing get underway!

Last night was an unbelievable experience! The opening ceremonies were spectacular to be a part of. Unfortunately we did not see any of the great show that went on before the athletes entered the stadium, as we were waiting to walk in, but some of the highlights I saw on TV this morning looked like it was pretty awesome! Though I didn't feel like I was left out of anything not being able to see the first hour of the ceremonies, as there is really no way to explain the feeling of walking into the stadium with team Canada. It was absolutely one of the most incredible feelings of my entire life!
(more…)

Bookmark to:

Update to yesterday's post about Olympic Bloggers:

Row2k hosts Heather Mandoli from the Canadian Womens 8

Plus Liz Wray from Tideway Slug pointed me to Jason Read in USA Mens 8 

Links to both blogs are from the original post.

We'll be putting updates up in full when they publish. 

Further update - Mahe Drysdale has a blog on New Zealand Olympic Committee site.  Mainly a photo blog - which make s a nice change.

Mahe Drysdale Blog 

We have also been guided towards the Holland vier in Beijing blog - but it's in Dutch.  Any offers to translate for us?  Some lovely photos there too.

Bookmark to: