Given that tonight, here in the states at least, is the last day of the games, we say goodbye to Beijing. We thank you for being incredible hosts and for showing us the games of a lifetime. However, in an attempt to keep the mood light and happy so we all don’t break into tears because we have to wait another four years until the summer games return, we’re providing some fun pix of our favorite Olympic game…

Name that floor exercise pose!

The Players: 

Cheng Fei ! Nastia Liukin !  Dominique Dawes ! Tyler ! Zach ! Michael !

The Poses:

BREAKING NEWS, very few sources are reporting this, however, I felt compelled to let all our loyal fans know, that as of TODAY, the IOC is pressuring the FIG (governing body of Gymnastics - or - Federation International Gymnastique) to investigate claims that China DID in fact change the ages of TWO competitors.

HE KEXIN (who now famously beat Nastia Liukin on bars in what is the MOST ridiculous uneven Bars result in Olympic History) and All-Around Bronze Medalist, Yang Yilin.

We will be reporting LIVE when more information regarding this matter comes to light!!! This is HUGE considering that the IOC has now stepped in. The last and only time the IOC has stepped in, was in 2002 after the Figure Skating Judging Scandal ROCKED the Winter Games… More to come…

Just when you thought OOB couldn’t get any crazier, we did! Or well, our adventures did at least. True to form, I was there, with the Phelps family as they got ready for their trip home to Baltimore, following Michael’s unbelievable 8 - Gold Medal haul in Beijing. Tired from the stress and expectation, the entire family seem VERY excited and content as they prepared to head home.

I must say, Deb Phelps is the KINDEST woman. She spoke with a soft, caring tone that seemed to make the painful memories of the ridiculous strip search I’d just suffered in Chinese security magically disappear. She spoke softly of what an adventure her family had had in Beijing and how thrilled she obviously was for Michael.

The lasting image I’ll have of Debbie and her two daughters, Hilary and Whitney, is one of quiet contentment. They seemed so peaceful and happy. Again, for many reasons, but I truly think they were just happy to be there as a family, sharing such an incredible moment together. Humble, Genuine and Classy! Mama Phelps raised her son a gentleman!

Now, when we got on the plane, and this is a SUPER secret, they were sitting in Economy class. I was shocked that with ALL the open seats in First Class, that United Airlines staff hadn’t realized that Debbie Phelps was sitting, smashed in a seat near the back. Even I wouldn’t go near that cattle-call back there, so, I resolved that the Mother of the greatest Olympian ever should be sitting in style!

I flagged over two of the flight attendants after take-off, and notified them that Debbie was on the plane with Michael’s two sisters. Then I remarked how “NICE” it would be if they bumped them up to First Class…. And, oddly enough, there the four of them were, Deb, Whitney, Hilary & what seemed to be an uncle, shuffling up the poorly lit aisle on to their new seats in First Class…

As a favor for what I deemed civic duty, I was given free booze and ice cream the rest of the flight! Karmic retribution…! It certainly made the 14 hour flight go by MUCH faster…

WE LOVE Debbie Phelps and wish her and her family the very BEST! 8 - Gold Medals couldn’t have happened to a more deserving, kind and genuinely NICE family! Congrats again, not only for your Olympic-sized accomplishments, but also for being a class act.

What can I say at this point, I’m almost speechless. But, if you know me, that’s impossible. 

There will be many blogs explaining the breakdown of how Nastia was outscored by He Kexin, via a complicated Tie-break procedure. However, more interesting is the fact that the SAME judge who suspiciously low-balled Nastia last year at Worlds in Stuttgart was again scoring Nastia on bars during the AA & Event Finals. Her name is Helen Calagiuri and she’s a judge from Australia. 

Last year at World’s she gave Nastia the lowest score on execution by .5

And here, she low-balled Nastia by a full (1.0) point! Even though China’s He Kexin had BLARING deductions. Look at the dismount alone, with Nastia sticking her landing, while He Kexin took a large step.

Minutia aside, I’m just heart-broken that the judges have, yet again, screwed an American gymnast out of their rightful position (the prior being Alicia Sacramone on Vault). I truly think the FIG has a LOT of explaining to do to fans of the sport. As a life-long fan of the sport, I’ve truly been questioning how I can continue to support blatant score fixing on behalf of the judges. (don’t even GET me started on He Kexin’s age)

With all this being said, KUDOS to Nastia Liukin for handling the situation with class and dignity! Though she was fighting back tears on that podium, I’ll forever remember our dear Nastia, in that perfect pink leotard, winning the crown jewel of Gymnastics… The Women’s Olympic All-Around title.

Дорогое Nastia, Вы для быть нашим коммунистическим чемпионом! Вы за поступком типа и красивейше…

Our FINAL Gymnastics Event of the Games… as you can imagine, we’re in hysterics!!

Gym Independent Finals, Part 1:

Gym Indpendent Finals, Part 2:

LATEST PHOTOS - Days 5 and 6

Yesterday, the boys and I were looking for something fun to do! So, we decided to blow our hard earned money on cheaply made chinese goods. Sounds like a fun Wednesday afternoon to me!

Most people don’t realize this, but the Silk Market in Beijing actually is more like a shop-a-holic’s casino… Worse than a mall. See, at the Silk Market, YOU determine the price, based on your ability to haggle and bargain. Needless to say, this is an art that the Chinese saleswomen have perfected…

For all potential visitors, be VERY prepared to be poked, prodded and manhandled by overzealous saleswomen (and a few men, who we think were, you know…a little “limp wristed…” in a my buddy works at J.Crew kinda way…) 

All in all, it was a fabulous day. I walked away with enough Pirate’s Booty to make each and everyone of my family and friend’s VERY happy come Christmas time. Now, if I can only figure out a way to pay off my credit card after buying all those presents….

You can find me on the Corner of XieJieKou and Dongzhemen! 100 RMB per hour….wink! hahahaha

Cheers, OOB!

The Olympic Park is like a Beijing Epcot Center!  Here we walk into the various huts teaching about Chinese history.

We finally made it to the Great Wall today, but turns out we may not have picked THE best day to go, and you’ll see why from these vids.  However, we were still absolutely in awe of this great wonder of the world… and feel VERY grateful not only to have been able to make it all this way to see such a spectacular site, but also to not have been struck by lightning as we heard almost a dozen people were in various parts of the wall today.  Our prayers, thoughts and good vibes go out to them… it easily could’ve been us!

PART ONE: TO THE TOP!

PART TWO: AND BACK DOWN AGAIN!

Alright, today we decided to finally take a break from the games and do some Beijing cultural actiivities.  Out first was… as highly recommended by many… the “Silk Market”!  Let’s just say that if bargain shopping we’re an olympic sport, we’d all have golds in the all-around.  And surprisingly we ran into more athletes here than anywhere!  Thanks to Dr. V for all his tips here, as you’ll see we used many of them!

SILK MARKET: FLOOR ONE!

SILK MARKET: FLOOR TWO!

SLIK MARKET: ATHLETE INTERVIEWS (We ran into quite a few!)