Track and Field Blogs - Jenny Barringer

Hey Everyone,

This is going to have to be a quick one. My computer availability has been compromised for a day or two but I wanted to sneak in a quick post.

Last night was quite an event. I'm so glad that I went and participated in the Opening Ceremonies. Between transportation, staging, marching, and the end of the ceremony it's about a 6 hour commitment for the athletes. But it was so worth it! I think the best way for me to describe my experience being a part of it all is that I felt like a stargazer... in so many different ways. It was a night of meeting the stars including a huge group of world-class USA team members, the President and some of his family, a ton of amazing athletes from different countries, and not to mention the open sky above us as we all stood together for the first time in the Olympic Stadium. It was an experience of a lifetime.

Only two downfalls to the whole experience (and they are totally worth it). It was insanely hot. We were dressed in our wool get-up for the whole six hours and by the end we all looked like we had gone swimming in them. We also didn't get back to the village until about 1:30am. I grabbed a quick bite to eat in the dining hall and then fell into bed after a quick shower.

It was unbelievable the amount of people that were in the stadium and also the amount of athletes that were gathered in the infield. I was split two ways between feeling like I was a big part of something wonderful but also it made me realize how insignificant my single role in athletics is when gathered with the masses. I'm so proud to be here and it is the greatest accomplishment of my athletic career. But, I'll never forget how many people I was surrounded by on that infield that very possibly have that very same sentiment.