Day 1...and a half

Still on Wisconsin time, so my internal clock set of at 2:15 am.  Too bad, because I didn't sleep much-typical old dorm room, light streaming in from an outside parking lot.  Not ideal, but We all (coaches and athletes) will be fine.  Sports managers, head coaches and management team arrived yesterday.  Settling in and renewing old friendships I've made over the years within Special Olympics.  This is number 7 for me and I feel privileged to be selected again.

Rooms are at UC Riverside and must have slept 3 to a room during the school year.  A homemade "loft" has 2 twin beds and the "lower level" has a bed and 3 desks.  Tight quarters to be sure.  We will have 2 to a room when athletes arrive today.

We inspected the track here, where we'll practice the next  3 days and it is a beauty. Only (old) track coaches can appreciate such things.  It's as good as any olympic track I've seen. 

Management team dinner last night at UCR alumni center and long meeting going thru logistics of the entire team (480) arriving today.  It'll be some craziness here getting moved in.  Our week is officially call "Pre-Games" as opposed to "Host town" like the other 170 countries from around the world have.  It's almost better for us-we control our schedule and allow for more practice time.  The city of Riverside (380,000) has set up a parade and american BBQ and concert tomorrow night-not too stressful.  We built in down time every afternoon which is great.  Thursday we hit Newport beach for some activities and then Friday, pack up and move to LA and USC for the official start of the games.  Moving a group this size is always a challenge!

The lobby here at the dorm is deserted except for the cleaning lady-I don't mind....it'll soon be hectic, stressful, hot, fun tiring and just what I came her for.
-Steve