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August 20 – There has been a lot of
talk about security here at the Games and we all live with it daily.
Each morning as you enter the venue your credential is visibly checked
to be sure you are authorized to enter the Agios Kosmas Sailing Center.
Then you must go through a metal detector after you have emptied
everything out of your pockets – just like going through airport
security at home. Having had a total knee replacement two years ago, I
set off the metal detector every day. So I just walk through and
immediately put my arms out to be “hand wanded” before I enter the
venue. Yesterday as I passed through one of the guards said: “It’s the
iron man!” I’ve been called lots of names before, but “iron man” has
never been one of them!
 Once
inside, there are additional checkpoints as the venue is divided into
zones: the blue zone is for athletes, coaches, support personnel etc.
and the red zone is primarily for media. Within each zone there are
sub-zones with numeric code access. If your credential does not have a
# 4 on it you may not go into the media center, etc. (The photo,
right, looks north from the southernmost end of the venue along the
corridor used by the press to access the "press pen" known
euphemistically here as the "mixed zone." The red path is in the
athlete's "blue zone", with the boat ramps to the left, and dinghy
storage area on the right. Tall tented area on the left is the
measurement tent.)
Yesterday I needed to fuel up our USOC-supplied van and upon returning
to the venue it had to be “sanitized” before being allowed to re-enter.
I just love the word sanitized, but what it really means is a complete
strip search of the vehicle. Hood opened, glove box checked, every
package inspected, mirrors on wheels to look under the car, etc. After
this 10-minute inspection I am also rechecked before being allowed to
enter the venue.
We have also been assigned two security agents by the US State
Department who monitor our every move. They are mostly behind the
scenes but know just about everything we do. They escorted us to the SI
party two nights ago. When we have a Team dinner next week they will
attend as well, but will do a “security check” of the restaurant first
and one will be stationed at the restaurant before we all arrive. It’s
their job to be sure we are all safe. One of the agents, following this
assignment will return home briefly before going into training for four
months, prior to being assigned to Iraq for 12 months.
 Sailing
went well for our 49er team today as they won the day with finishes of
8-3-1. Last race was the TV featured race and they led “wire-to-wire”.
This is the third TV featured race where the Stars and Stripes has led
wire-to-wire.
Tomorrow will be an exciting day for our 470 Men’s team of Paul Foerster
and Kevin Burnham, left, as they go for the GOLD.
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