August 20, 2008: Summer Palace/ an afternoon with Richard Pound.

There was a McGill Alumni event today with Richard Pound speaking about the state of the Olympics today, and the vision for McGill University. Mr. Pound is the Chancellor of McGill, as well as vice-president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He praised China for cracking down on doping and making progress on the pollution. He alluded to the 1984 Games, of how the media exaggerated the pollution in L.A.  He says that public funds are playing less of a critical role in the Olympics and that the multi-billion dollar TV and advertising economy of the Olympics is here to stay. A nice intimate setting, maybe 50 people. Also met Rene Milot, Quebec's diplomat (ambassador?) to China. 

Morning at the Summer Palace. The great Kunming Lake in the distance.

The Long Corridor.

August 20, 2008: Olympic Track and Field Finals

Some panoramas during the day and night. The Olympic Green is a large yet sterile public plaza, with only a few corporate pavilions that I could see.

Inside the Bird's Nest.

Women's 5000m heats.

Volunteers come out in full force.

The Olympic flame.

This is the first time I've ever seen public drinking water in BJ.

Usain Bolt taking his position in the 200m semis.

A volunteer on the upper concourse.

Christine Ohuruogu wins in the women's 400m

Photo finish in the women's 100m hurdles. Priscilla Lopes-Schliep is 2nd from the left.

A nice view of simultaneous disappointment, confusion, and joy .

Lopes-Schliep realizes she's won bronze.

Dawn Harper wins 100m hurdles gold.

The first Canadian athlete to win a medal in track since 1996's Donovan Bailey.

Watercube at Night.

Sunday, August 17: Carl Lewis, and trip to the Alps

Today, BICF had a special event with ex-Olympic athletes giving their testimonies. Carl Lewis headlined the event: 

With an ex-Harlem Globetrotter

Afternoon at 798.. going the Swiss House, open just for the Olympics

Daniel P. dancing away.