The Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Olympic Games was one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life and I'd like to share it with everyone. You may have watched the games on TV, but this is what the Ceremony looked like from an athletes perspective:
It was a LOT of walking:
But I think you'll agree it was well worth it in the end....
All of the countries lined up in alphabetical order to walk through the arena. We began in the athlete village and walked a long way to the arena in our line.
This is one of the buildings we passed that lights up in different colors.
This is the Mauritian sign for spectators to see as well as for members of the delegation to keep track of where the rest of their country is.
As we walked toward the arena, there were school children lined up the whole way along a barricade to greet us and cheer us on.
The kids were all very excited too see us.
Everyone wanted autographs - in books, on T-shirts, etc.
They were all curious as to what event we were participating in and what country we came from.
I met a lot of young swimmers and of course I encouraged them to continue with the amazing sport! :)
There were posters made for each of the countries and this is the one for Mauritius!
Me with the Mauritius poster and the kids that made it.
Another Mauritius poster! So many fans :)
The kids were chanting, "Mauritius, Mauritius...."
Before long, we could see the arena.
After we passed the kids, there was lots of media and other people who had come to watch us pass:
There were people in funny costumes. (probably to get the athletes attention for pictures)
There were policemen all over and I loved there hats!
There were LOTS of men in uniform so we got pictures with them all. Great guys!
They even let us try on their super cool hats!
As we approached the arena, we crossed over a bridge....
And at the end of the bridge, we received our country's flag. This is all of the flags lined up in alphabetical order. The 2 carts on the right side of the picture are empty because those countries had already gone through. On the left, are the flags of the countries who had yet to go.
This is the Mauritius flag and our flag bearer, Nathacha, who is a beach volleyball player. I think she was chosen at random to bear the flag.
As we got closer, the stadium started looking bigger and bigger and excitement rose!
Backstage, just before we entered the arena, we could hear the announcer and the crowd cheering. It definitely pumped us up!
It was such a thrill entering the arena. The lights were bright and the crowd was roaring!!
After the walk, we entered the center of the arena with all of the other athletes and officials. We explored a lot and took pictures with anyone in a cool outfit!
Belgium - looking spiffy in suits and ties.
There were lots of interesting outfits!
Don't remember where these guys are from..
More interesting outfits!
More interesting outfits!
And yet, more interesting outfits!
Me and Megan Fonteno - a swimmer for Auburn that I went to Diversity Select Camp with back in the day.
More interesting outfits!
More interesting outfits with my friend, Christianne, who does Judo for Mauritius.
Some really tall indoor volleyball players from Bulgaria. The one on the right plays 'opposite'... not that I know what position that is.
Some guys from New Zealand!
Some great outfits from Czech Republic with awesome rainboots!
Another interesting outfit!
Some guys from India with my friend Christianne, again.
Some guys in some classy white suits.
Some more awesome outfits! Even got a lei to wear for the picture!
More interesting outfits!
More interesting outfits!
A really, REALLY tall guy - you can't even see his face because of the light!
Me, my friend Fabien who does triathlons, and Kevin Love!
Me, and some famous USA basketball team members who's names I do not know...
Me and Lebron James!
Confetti was flying!
The birds/bikers that rode around the arena.
The flying bird above the arena!!
The torch running past us!
Fireworks!
Hey Jude - Paul McCartney
And at the end, I got a picture with the torch - Let the games begin! "And may the odds be ever in your favor!"
