Sunday, August 21, 2016
GOLD
Well the team did it again. Another gold medal for the USA. The game started very slowly for the US. They just couldn't get anything going. Once they started to play better defense, things really got going and Spain did not have a chance.
After the bigs (Brittany Griner and Sylvia Fowles) got in foul trouble, Stewie came in and she came through with flying colors. She definitely sparked the team. There seemed to be an uncharacteristic number of fouls called on the US.
Sue got to play and she was all smiles. It was truly a pleasure to witness Sue, Diana and Tamika's last Olympic game together. Their talent and dedication to the sport of women's basketball is remarkable.
My journey home is not going well. I was supposed to leave Rio at 9:45pm last night and I still have not left. I am at the airport and now they say the flight will leave at 10:45am this morning. YIKES.
Despite travel issues, I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to go to the Olympics. I wish the whole world could have seen how people from all cultures and countries can get along. Singing, laughing and dancing together as one.
A wonderful experience.
Good bye for now,
Barbarainrio
Saturday, August 20, 2016
It's Gold Medal Day!!
The team is ready and Sue wants to play but it will be a game time decision. Spain is different from France. They are not as physical and they pass and cut in a more free flowing style. This game should be fun to watch.
I will be heading to the airport right after the game to catch my flight. It will be an 8 hour flight to the States. I am looking forward to getting home, but at the same time I have enjoyed my visit in this beautiful place. The people make Rio. They are so laid back, happy and very willing to help.
Thank you Rio for a wonderful time.
Will recap the game later today.
Talk soon,
Barbarainrio
Thursday, August, 2016
Hey everyone, it is a beautiful morning here in Rio. I am looking forward to going to the beach. I can actually walk there and not have to ride in a car for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
The game last night made me a little nervous. The team is tired. They have played 7 games and had countless practices. I would bet they have a day off today.
Without Sue Bird, it was tough for them to get going. She is so good at setting the tempo and distributing the ball, the best point guard. Simone Augustus, Diana and Lyndsey combined to get the job done however. Once Angel came in and gave them the spark they needed they got it going.
The fourth quarter was a bit of a challenge also as they slowed down again and couldn't get any defensive stops. But, they got the job done and now it is Spain.
Sue will try to see if she can go today and hopefully she will be able to play Saturday. It would be a real shame if she can't be on the floor for her last Olympic game.
It took me 2 1/2 hours by car to get to Christ the Redeemer as my Uber driver took me over the mountains instead of straight there through the city. By the time I got there I did not have time to get to the top. I had to get back to the Spain game which was at 3pm. That drive was an hour. As I said before, traffic and distance is an issue here in Rio.
I am not complaining, this is a wonderful experience for me. I am blessed.
Talk soon,
Barbarainrio
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Good morning. Late night last night as the game ended around 9:00pm and then I had an adventure trying to get back to my hotel.
All Uber drivers were busy and I needed to find a taxi driver who spoke English. Not easy to do. After about 5 tries, I got one and then trying to explain to him where to go was difficult as I neglected to bring the address with me. At any rate I finally got back around midnight. It is really an experience getting around in Rio!!!
Yesterday I experienced handball, volleyball and basketball. The people of Brazil are so friendly and full of spirit and happiness all the time. It is uplifting to be around them.
There must have been three or four thousand people gathered around a big outdoor screen to watch their women's soccer team play Sweden. The cheers and dancing while the game was going on were unbelievable. When the team lost, there was silence for a couple of seconds and then they moved on to something else and salsa music came on and they started to dance. They are just such easy going people.
Today I am off to the Jardin Botanical Garden and then back to the Track and Field event building.
The women played a very feisty Japanese team last night. They were challenged in the first and second quarters but then after half time, they went back to the game plan of getting the ball inside to the bigs. Jamelle was happy once they started doing that.
We are all hoping that Sue Bird will be Ok to play in the next game as she injured her right knee in the second quarter and did not play the rest of the game.
Talk later,
Barbarainrio
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Yesterday was quite the experience. I went to track and field and watched the women's hammer throw. They are really strong and agile women. I was curious as I watched a small radio activated green car running around on the infield of the track but then I realized that the hammer that was just thrown was put in the car and driven back to the throwing area. What an ingenious idea.
I also watched the women's steeple chase and the men's 400 meter hurtles. Then I was off to a golf course where Nike has a hospitality area set up. They took very good care of me with food and gifts. Thank you to Ilene Hauser and Nike.
It was there that I met up with the team and got to talk with all the former players from UConn, Geno and Jamelle and Jennifer Rizzotti. They are a great group of people. Also got to talk to Doug Bruno and his lovely wife. Angel McCoughtry asked for putting tips and we had a good laugh. She has not forgotten where she came from.
Jamelle is really enjoying her time with the team as she is doing the majority of the scouting. She has Japan for today's game with Doug. I am sure they will be ready for the game tonight. Can't wait to see them play in person.
Getting around here is tough as the venues are so spread apart. It takes anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours to get between venues. I am only able to take in a few events per day. I believe traffic here is worse than New York City.
Well off to the Olympic Park to try to see some women's volleyball, handball and basketball.
Talk later,
Barbarainrio
Monday, August 15, 2016
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Arrived
I finally arrived in Rio. My flight was 4 hours late and consequently I was not able to make it to the US vs China game today.
The taxi ride to my hotel took well over an hour and then I had to find a boat taxi to get to my hotel. By the way, taxi drivers in Rio do not take a back seat to NY cabbies. What a ride!!! The motor cycles weaving in and out horns blaring everywhere. Besides all of that, the driver talked a mile a minute. I am exhausted.
Now I am in the process of trying to find the Olympic Village and the Basketball venue. This is really going to be an adventure.
I will keep you informed as much as can.
- Barbara
Friday, August 12, 2016
Welcome to Barbara Jacobs’ Blog covering Women’s Basketball at the Olympics in RIO!!
As I prepare to go to the Olympics in Rio De Janeiro to specifically watch the United States Women’s Basketball Team, I am so excited to see them play in person. I have watched the team blow out three teams by scoring over 100 points over the last few days on TV. They are really good!!! I also plan to give insight on the experiences of Geno Auriemma as the head coach and the experiences of the alumni players from UConn and special video assistant Jamelle Elliott, Head Coach at Cincinnati.
I look forward to visiting this wonderful city and exploring the many things and places Rio has to offer. I also look forward to seeing as many other Olympic events as I possibly can.
The team is staying on a Cruise Ship, but I will be staying in a bed and breakfast on a small island just a little ways away from the Basketball Venue where the quarter- finals, semi-finals and finals will be played. I am very excited to experience Brazilian life.
I will write again when I arrive in Rio on Sunday, August 14
th at 8:00am. It is a long flight and will take all Saturday night to get there.