Spring Break
Haruguchi swims against world
Swimmer Saori Haruguchi represents her native Japan in Beijing at the 2008 Summer Olympics, swimming in the 400-meter individual medley
Casey Grogan
Issue date: 10/28/08 Section: Sports
Haruguchi was, like many swimmers, unable to participate in Opening Ceremonies once in Beijing due to the closeness in time to the first swimming races. The proximity of the Olympic Village to the Bird's Nest made it possible to enjoy the fireworks from the comfort of a dorm room.
"I just stayed in the village," Haruguchi said. "I could see the fireworks and hear it. The first fireworks, I thought it was a bomb."
The Olympic Village, the home for athletes during the games, was not only the setting of meals and meetings with other athletes but also a place of beauty. Chinese architecture and influences could be seen around the complex and were appreciated by the rookie Haruguchi and the veterans of the Japanese team.
"All the swimmers went to Sydney Olympics and Athens. They said Beijing's village was the best," Haruguchi said. "It was really beautiful. The games were just one amazing experience that I will never forget. Living in the village and meeting people from all over the country and different sports was just so much fun."
In Beijing, Haruguchi was unable to explore the Chinese city but was able to take in other sporting events. After swimming was completed, Haruguchi was able to take in baseball and track and field; it was, however, track and field that impressed Haruguchi most.
"Track and field was really crazy," Haruguchi said. "The Bird's Nest was really huge, and the people were huge, too. I feel like those are the Olympians."
The setting of track and field near the end of the games was one of the two most architecturally appealing venues for the Beijing games. The Water Cube was home for swimming and diving competitions.
"In Beijing, I think they have very amazing architecture," Haruguchi said. "The Water Cube and the Bird's Nest, I felt like they were just a little toy. It was a really nice pool and the best pool I have been to."
Inside of the large cube is where Haruguchi was set to compete in the 400 individual medley. Haruguchi was slated to compete in Heat Four against one of Australia's top swimmers, Stephanie Rice.
Though she finished seventh in the heat, Haruguchi started very strong in her first Olympic race. After the first 50-meters, Haruguchi was in second before taking the lead for the next 100 meters. It was in meter 250 that Haruguchi drifted out of a qualifying spot and eventually into seventh.
"I didn't really feel like, 'Oh my gosh this is the Olympics,'" Haruguchi said. "I felt like it was just one trip, just another competition."
Casey Grogan, sports editor
sports@dailybarometer.com
"I just stayed in the village," Haruguchi said. "I could see the fireworks and hear it. The first fireworks, I thought it was a bomb."
The Olympic Village, the home for athletes during the games, was not only the setting of meals and meetings with other athletes but also a place of beauty. Chinese architecture and influences could be seen around the complex and were appreciated by the rookie Haruguchi and the veterans of the Japanese team.
"All the swimmers went to Sydney Olympics and Athens. They said Beijing's village was the best," Haruguchi said. "It was really beautiful. The games were just one amazing experience that I will never forget. Living in the village and meeting people from all over the country and different sports was just so much fun."
In Beijing, Haruguchi was unable to explore the Chinese city but was able to take in other sporting events. After swimming was completed, Haruguchi was able to take in baseball and track and field; it was, however, track and field that impressed Haruguchi most.
"Track and field was really crazy," Haruguchi said. "The Bird's Nest was really huge, and the people were huge, too. I feel like those are the Olympians."
The setting of track and field near the end of the games was one of the two most architecturally appealing venues for the Beijing games. The Water Cube was home for swimming and diving competitions.
"In Beijing, I think they have very amazing architecture," Haruguchi said. "The Water Cube and the Bird's Nest, I felt like they were just a little toy. It was a really nice pool and the best pool I have been to."
Inside of the large cube is where Haruguchi was set to compete in the 400 individual medley. Haruguchi was slated to compete in Heat Four against one of Australia's top swimmers, Stephanie Rice.
Though she finished seventh in the heat, Haruguchi started very strong in her first Olympic race. After the first 50-meters, Haruguchi was in second before taking the lead for the next 100 meters. It was in meter 250 that Haruguchi drifted out of a qualifying spot and eventually into seventh.
"I didn't really feel like, 'Oh my gosh this is the Olympics,'" Haruguchi said. "I felt like it was just one trip, just another competition."
Casey Grogan, sports editor
sports@dailybarometer.com
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Be the first to comment on this story
Comments by registered users are approved by default.