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My Olympic Journey
By Lulu ChiangNBC Olympics Features Producer
It’s been a wild ride here at the Olympic games… a dream that I’ve had for 7 years coming to fruition in style. My first time at the Olympics and I get to see Michael Phelps smash record after record, taking home a total of eight gold medals. Let’s put it in perspective; if “Phelps” was his own country, his gold medal count would be 7th , tied with Japan and just behind South Korea. Unreal!
As Maria Bartiromo’s right hand at CNBC, I’m used to booking and producing interviews with the top CEOs of companies from around the world, government officials of the highest levels and money managers that control billions and billions of dollars. But here in Beijing at the International Broadcast Center (or, the“IBC” as most call it) my responsibility is to arrange athlete interviews and coordinate logistics with my booking partner and to coordinate everything and anything else with the NBC Universal Family (including Access Hollywood, AccessHollywood.com, CNBC, MSNBC and NBCOlympics.com). Talk about a gear switch!
And this is the best gig ever! Our mission is simple – to make the athlete’s experience with NBC Olympics an incredible one. However, sometimes making that happen can be very very hairy.
Between competitions, practices, sponsor commitments and media interviews these athletes are working around the clock. Whether it’s transporting the Olympian from point A to point B, or making sure we get their families the proper credentials so they can have access, we are here to do whatever it takes to make it happen.
In order to make the handoff from one thing to another smooth, countless phone calls are made to make sure everyone is on the same page. You don't see any of this on camera.
What you do see on TV is the results of the hard work from the course
of each and everyday on behalf of our production staff. We make it
happen for you on flat screen - in HD form. Our talent across the board
-- from Bob Costas to Brian Williams to Billy Bush -- are lookin' all
over, combing through stories… so they can share their experiences with
you. Of course, we have a game plan; but rarely does it play out
perfectly.
What I learned is that access is everything. Well, we’ve got Access Beijing since NBC Universal paid $894 million for the broadcast rights. Our credentials have an “infinity” symbol – meaning we can get into any venue. When we’re not working away, we are trying to catch some live match play. Sleep is not in the equation. I have to say, swimming in the Water Cube is extremely exciting. But beach volleyball beats out the swimming in my book. The energy in Chaoyang Park is insane. It’s a huge party!
Even President Bush made a trip to NBC Olympics’ Beijing studio on August 11th, four days after the opening ceremony. Since then, the parade of athletes has been trouncing in and out of our space after they’ve completed their events. From the Men’s U.S. Swim Team (Michael Phelps, team captain Jason Lezak, Ryan Lochte, Brendan Hansen and Cullen Jones) to the Women’s Gymnastics Team including Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson. Kobe and LeBron from Men’s USA Basketball also stopped by for a few minutes. And our Track and Field stars that went one-two-three in the 400 meter hurdles (Angelo Taylor, Kerron Clement & Bershawn Jackson). Beach volleyball stars Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor, winning back-to-back gold was also in the mix. And the list goes on and on.
There are three days left of competition, but athletes are trickling out of here one by one already. They’re going to miss out. I’m sure BOCOG (Beijing Organizing Committee Olympic Games) has a great Closing Ceremony planned for us. And now we’re hearing that David Beckham will be here to carry on the torch for the 2012 Olympic games in London. What a way to pass off the flame.
What I learned is that access is everything. Well, we’ve got Access Beijing since NBC Universal paid $894 million for the broadcast rights. Our credentials have an “infinity” symbol – meaning we can get into any venue. When we’re not working away, we are trying to catch some live match play. Sleep is not in the equation. I have to say, swimming in the Water Cube is extremely exciting. But beach volleyball beats out the swimming in my book. The energy in Chaoyang Park is insane. It’s a huge party!
Even President Bush made a trip to NBC Olympics’ Beijing studio on August 11th, four days after the opening ceremony. Since then, the parade of athletes has been trouncing in and out of our space after they’ve completed their events. From the Men’s U.S. Swim Team (Michael Phelps, team captain Jason Lezak, Ryan Lochte, Brendan Hansen and Cullen Jones) to the Women’s Gymnastics Team including Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson. Kobe and LeBron from Men’s USA Basketball also stopped by for a few minutes. And our Track and Field stars that went one-two-three in the 400 meter hurdles (Angelo Taylor, Kerron Clement & Bershawn Jackson). Beach volleyball stars Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor, winning back-to-back gold was also in the mix. And the list goes on and on.
There are three days left of competition, but athletes are trickling out of here one by one already. They’re going to miss out. I’m sure BOCOG (Beijing Organizing Committee Olympic Games) has a great Closing Ceremony planned for us. And now we’re hearing that David Beckham will be here to carry on the torch for the 2012 Olympic games in London. What a way to pass off the flame.
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