Gary Hall Jr. looks forward, back and then shakes

Note: Olympian Gary Hall Jr. has been blogging on Ticket to Beijing. Here are some of his thoughts at the half-way point:

100 meter butterfly:

Wow, great race between Mike Cavic and Mike Phelps. I like those close ones. Cavic can take some consolation in knowing that he will be included in every Michael Phelps highlight reel, ever. And a silver medal at the Olympic Games ain’t too bad either.

Bird flu?

I have been so sick these last three days. I have been shuffling, sneezing and hacking on the way over to the pool everyday. I sit in the stands shaking and sweating like some gamblaholic who just bet the family dog against Phelps.

I think I have the bird flu.

My Chinese suit:

Suit technology? How’s about some cashmere? I just got fitted for five suits. Wild things. Fine cashmere. Shocking silk liners. Wide lapels. Extra pockets. Ivory buttons. Vents and cuffs. And all for less than the price of a new Speedo LZR racing suit.

Long live the king:

Brazilian Cesar Cielo Filho won the men’s 50-meter freestyle. I don’t care how good Phelps is, Cesar Cielo is the fastest swimmer in the world. We have a new king. LONG LIVE THE KING!

Swimming is so over:

I don’t have the swimming medal tally yet, but my gut instinct tells me that the U.S. team did well. Has it? Who cares? Michael Phelps!!! Yeah!

I’m going to party like it’s 1999:

Mike Phelps deserves a Chinese beer. So do I. Let me stand in a very long line of people that would like to buy him one.

Wrap, Week 1:

So far the Beijing Olympics have been incredible. I’m looking forward to Week 2.

Week 2 intro:

What are the Olympics and NBC going to do without Mike Phelps? What am I going to do? It suddenly got very quiet in my hotel room.

-- Gary Hall Jr.

Photo: Brazil's Cesar Cielo Filho poses on Saturday after winning gold in the men's 50-meter freestyle at the National Aquatics Center. Credit: Pedro Ugarte / AFP/Getty Images

Gary Hall Jr. became a three-time Olympian after being diagnosed with Type I diabetes. He is an ambassador for Inspired by Diabetes, a global campaign that encourages people touched by diabetes to share their stories with others around the world. The program is a collaboration between Eli Lilly & Co. and the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) Unite for Diabetes initiative. In the U.S., the American Diabetes Assn. is the program’s national advocate. For more information, visit inspiredbydiabetes.com.

Comments

[Eileen]

Goodness gracious!!! I COMPLETELY miss you out in the pool.

But am SO glad you're bringing us your words of inspiration and wealth of knowledge!!

You are SUCH a fantastic ROLE MODEL to those of us with Type 1 Diabetes!!! We love and thank YOU for just being you!!! :)

[Gigi Hall]

Daddy,
You are funny and I miss you! Can't wait for you to come home and race me in the pool!!!! Let's catch a puffer fish off the dock too. Charlie's crying. Love you!
Gigi

[Duke]

Thanks for the blogs, Gary. We always appreciate your insight.

I really wish you would have turn downed the IVORY button option on your suits, though. There's no need to fund the poaching of endangered species.

Be a role model, Gary.

[rreagan]

You should be more gracious about Michael Phelps' accomplishment. You could have done the same if you had the dedication to actually working out. Oh well, shoulda woulda coulda ...

[mad]

More gracious about Phelps? The man is offering to buy him a beer...I think that's a pretty nice congratulatory gesture. Were you there during his 20+ year career watching him work out? Not sure you can comment on Gary's work ethic then...

I think Gary makes it clear that he admires Phelps' accomplishments just like the rest of us. Keep up the great writing, Gary. I'm enjoying it. You are a GREAT role model!

[Elizabeth]

To RReagan: who ARE you??????? Gary has won 10 Olympic medals! He has competed in 3 Olympic Games! I don't get it.... shoulda woulda coulda???? Give the guy a little respect.

[Leogreen]

nice blog.