Do You Have It? (Raymond Daly, 2:18 PM EST)

Hello All! Think I’ve finally beaten the jet lag from getting back from London, and I’m back to deliver some insight. I thought this time, I’d change the format a little bit and allow you to learn about one of our ‘Nole athletes via video. I found a cool YouTube video of Chilean decathlete and current ‘Nole Gonzalo Barroilhet that I think you’ll enjoy, take a look! 

Belgian Power! (Raymond Daly, 11:04 EST)

Anyone get a chance to watch the Borlee twins, Kevin and Jonathan on Saturday? The former ‘Noles put on a show in their qualifying heats for the 400m dash, with Jonathan setting the Belgian national record at 44.43 seconds, which happened to be previously held by Kevin. 

Both Borlee’s were members of the FSU track and field team in 2009, with Jonathan leaving to become a professional after winning the 400m in the NCAA Outdoor Championship that year. 

After successfully qualifying for the 400m finals last night, both brothers will try to bring home a medal tonight, make sure to tune in and cheer them on! 

You can follow the both of them and their sister, Olivia on Twitter at @BorleeOffical. 

Sarah Huffman [4:53 PM, Eastern Standard Time]

Yesterday was dubbed “Super Saturday” of the Olympics. Why? Because they had 25 medal events going on in one day, the most out of any day during the two week period of the Games. 

Not every Saturday can be “Super Saturday” in London, so I’m going to give you some insight on what a normal Saturday is like. The biggest activity that city-dwellers and tourists participate in are markets! There are a number of different markets around the city that have huge displays on Saturday. There is a market for just about everything: antiques, clothing, souvenirs, flowers, knick-knacks, and food. My personal favorite was the Borough Market, which was a large food market located under railway tracks near the River Thames. 

Here you would find fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, breads, sweets, cakes, and pastries. The best part about this market were the food stands that were scattered around the perimeter of the market. This is where you would find something the market is famous for, it’s grilled cheese! This is no ordinary grilled cheese. Walking up to the stand you know that these people are cheese experts, mainly by the large wheels of cheese that are bubbling under hot lamps right before your eyes! The sandwich is piled high with a mixture of fresh shredded cheese. They also put in their own concoction of onions and spices to add a little kick. It is pressed with great care and then served! We went back on a weekly basis to get our fill of grilled cheese before we left. Maybe one day I’ll learn how to replicate it here in the states. 

Cheers! 

Anna Hyatt This morning was the Women’s Marathon! In retrospect, I probably should have picked a place along the race route to watch it live in person, but it’s also my last day in London, so I had to make the most of it! This morning the buses were on diversion, and it took forever to get anywhere! All of the races (marathon, race walk, cycling) have used parts of London roads, which has been great for spectators but terrible for transportation! I took this photo outside of Spitalfields Market, where we watched the very end of the race! It’s always fun to see how everyone stops what they are doing to watch the Olympics, and the public places in London have been no exception to this! There are so many places in London to actually watch the Games, you really have no excuse to not be in the know! Also, here’s a traveler tip: if you are visiting London, make sure to visit at least one market! There are so many in the city, it’s hard not to run into one. The markets offer some of the best food, shopping, and overall experience London has to offer!
Pop-upView Separately

Anna Hyatt

This morning was the Women’s Marathon! In retrospect, I probably should have picked a place along the race route to watch it live in person, but it’s also my last day in London, so I had to make the most of it! This morning the buses were on diversion, and it took forever to get anywhere! All of the races (marathon, race walk, cycling) have used parts of London roads, which has been great for spectators but terrible for transportation! I took this photo outside of Spitalfields Market, where we watched the very end of the race! It’s always fun to see how everyone stops what they are doing to watch the Olympics, and the public places in London have been no exception to this! There are so many places in London to actually watch the Games, you really have no excuse to not be in the know! Also, here’s a traveler tip: if you are visiting London, make sure to visit at least one market! There are so many in the city, it’s hard not to run into one. The markets offer some of the best food, shopping, and overall experience London has to offer!

gettyimages: Oscar: “Oscar Pistorius of South Africa competes in the Men’s 400m Round 1 Heats on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 4, 2012 in London, England. Photo by: Paul Gilham/Getty Images” Easily one of the most touching moments of the Games so far. Wouldn’t it be great if he won a medal?
Pop-upView Separately

gettyimages:

Oscar:

“Oscar Pistorius of South Africa competes in the Men’s 400m Round 1 Heats on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 4, 2012 in London, England.

Photo by: Paul Gilham/Getty Images”

Easily one of the most touching moments of the Games so far. Wouldn’t it be great if he won a medal?

Anna Hyatt Wenlock is the official mascot of the London 2012 Olympic Games. He has a counterpart, named Mandeville, that is the official Mascot of the Paralympic games. These two guys are supposed to be representations of drops of steel, a tribute to the industrial background in many parts of England. For the past two weeks, Wenlock statues have been popping up everywhere! They have been painted with lots of different designs, to represent the neighborhoods or areas they’ve been put in! Wenlock-hunting has been one of my hobbies during the Games, and it seems like each day there are more of them around the city! I’m beginning to think that Tallahassee needs some Chief Osceola statues around town too? If you are in London, try and spot some of these interesting guys!
Pop-upView Separately

Anna Hyatt

Wenlock is the official mascot of the London 2012 Olympic Games. He has a counterpart, named Mandeville, that is the official Mascot of the Paralympic games. These two guys are supposed to be representations of drops of steel, a tribute to the industrial background in many parts of England. For the past two weeks, Wenlock statues have been popping up everywhere! They have been painted with lots of different designs, to represent the neighborhoods or areas they’ve been put in! Wenlock-hunting has been one of my hobbies during the Games, and it seems like each day there are more of them around the city! I’m beginning to think that Tallahassee needs some Chief Osceola statues around town too? If you are in London, try and spot some of these interesting guys!

Good-Bye London!

Sarah Huffman [8:55 PM, Eastern Standard Time]

I’ve officially said my good-byes to London and the study center. After a long day of travel yesterday, I made it safely back to the USA and the great state of Florida. I can’t emphasize enough how great this entire experience has been. I have to give a lot of credit to FSU International Programs. The classes and guidance they provided through their facilities and staff made for an unforgettable 5 weeks. It ended up being more than I ever expected. My Olympic experience was just an added bonus. 

If any of you ever have the chance to attend the Olympics, do it. I have tried my best to put into words how culturally moving the events are, but to witness it on your own would be a truly life changing experience. Start your own Olympics fund and the next time they are in the states, go. Even if you can only get to the most obscure event, just go see something, or plan on being a volunteer. The entire movement was amazing to be a part of. It is something I’ll be talking about for the rest of my life.

As I mentioned I have left London, but I won’t be leaving this blog just yet! I’m going to stick around and write to you from the states continuing to give you an inside scoop to the Olympics and the host city, London! Stay tuned!

Cheers!

Ready, Set, Go! (Raymond Daly, 5:30 PM London Time)

It’s Friday! One more day till the weekend and the start of the Athletic events in London! Much like swimming, I think Track & Field is one of the sports people really enjoy watching during the Olympics, I know I do. That being said, why don’t we learn about a few of our ‘Noles who have competed today?

Did You Know? Along with USC and Auburn, FSU has the largest representation of track & field athletes in London with 12.

Kimberly Williams

I had a class with Kimberly in the fall, so when I heard that she was going to be a part of Jamaica’s track & field team, I was quite happy for her. As one of the most decorated track and field athletes that FSU has ever seen, it should be no surprise the former 2008 Outdoor and Indoor ACC Freshman of the Year is in London. Participating in the women’s triple jump, Williams will look to keep up her quest for a gold medal. 


Ciaran O’Lionaird

Representing Ireland, O’Lionaird was ACC Outdoor Champion in both the 1500 and 5000m in 2011. After transferring from the University of Michigan in 2009, O’Lionaird quickly found success as a member of both the FSU cross country and track teams. Look for him in the first round of the 1500m run this afternoon at 3:05. 


Dorian Scott

Last but not least, we have shot-putter Dorian Scott. A teammate of Kimberly Williams on the Jamaican team, Scott will look to qualify for the men’s shot-put finals today. A member of the FSU track team from 2001 to 2004, Scott had a very successful career as a ‘Nole, being named All-ACC and All-Indoor and Outdoor All-American in 2003. 

olympics: The ultimate beach #volleyball court Sarah Huffman [5:45 AM, London Time]Check out this amazing venue, Horse Guards Parade! We were here throughout the morning yesterday watching four different sand volleyball matches! If you haven’t caught one on tv I highly recommend it. The games move pretty quickly and are very entertaining. They had us dancing and cheering the entire time! The crowd did the wave around the entire arena 23 times in a row. It was a little tiring! Could you imagine if FSU’s sand volleyball matches were like this?!
Pop-upView Separately

olympics:

The ultimate beach  court

Sarah Huffman [5:45 AM, London Time]

Check out this amazing venue, Horse Guards Parade! We were here throughout the morning yesterday watching four different sand volleyball matches! If you haven’t caught one on tv I highly recommend it. The games move pretty quickly and are very entertaining. They had us dancing and cheering the entire time! The crowd did the wave around the entire arena 23 times in a row. It was a little tiring! Could you imagine if FSU’s sand volleyball matches were like this?!