Spring in Beijing

During the Olympics, former UI gymnast Justin Spring will write an occasional diary for The News-Gazette.

The time approaching prelims I kept reading all the negative press about how our team had no chance to medal and that it would be quite an accomplishment if we even made it to finals.  I guess I understand where they were coming from, seeing as we were the underdog team that lost two of their best guys right before the competition. 

With the two new alternate athletes now on the team, we were a team entirely composed of Olympic rookies.  Despite what anyone else said, we never gave up and never stopped believing that we could be on the medal podium ... and we did it! I have never been more proud to represent the USA and the University of Illinois! This was a great example of how never doubting yourself and never giving up can make your dreams come true.

The finals competition was one of the most nerve-racking, amazingly intense experiences of my life!  The momentum in the competition kept building through the meet until we saw our name on the scoreboard.  I never dreamed that I would be on this olympic team after all my injuries and set backs, and I especially never dreamed I would contribute to an Olympic team medal.  I will remember this trip vividly for the rest of my life.

Now that the media has died down after the competition I am finally getting away from gymnastics for a while.  I haven’t worked out since the team finals competition and it feels great!  My body has gotten pretty beat up training constantly through the trials competitions and in to the Olympics.  I will be going on a three-month post Olympic tour starting right as I get back so I need to take a little bit of a break before I go right in to that.  In the meantime I have been enjoying the company of my family and girlfriend as we check out a little of what Beijing has to offer.

Last night we met up with one of my dad’s work friends who lives in China and he took us to a very authentic chinese restaurant.  Our group got dropped off by the cab in what looked like to be a bad part of town.  We continued to walk through a series of narrow, dark-lit alleys lined with dumpsters and broken down bicycles. Needless to say I was a little worried about the quality of this restaurant we were heading to. We eventually came to an arch way and entered a building where a lovely hostess greeted us. 

Things were beginning to look up.  I don’t know where this place came from, but the hostess led us into the most gorgeous courtyard illuminated by candlelight surrounded by flowers, bonsai trees and ivy.  I was stunned.  Our huge party sat down and almost immediately six to seven people started taking drink orders and serving appetizers.  This is one of those restaurants that serves you whatever they had lying around in the kitchen and the only ordering that is done is for drinks.  Seven course and about twenty dollars later I was the happiest person in China.  The amazing food complemented the perfect atmosphere and It was one of my favorite meals in China so far.  It showed me that something good that comes unexpectedly is so much sweeter and memorable!

Missing good old Champaign-Urbana,

Justin Spring

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