Mexican Memoirs - Village life ...

Guadalajara, Mexico:

Hola amigos. Buenos dias.

I made my first trip to the Athletes' Village on Friday and was impressed by the large buildings and the many facilities available to the athletes.

Met on arrival by Chef de Mission Compton Rodney and his very able National Olympic Committee (NOC) assistant Arcelia Paz, I was quickly taken through the registration area, past security then on a short tour of the village by the Chef de Mission.

Paz has been in close contact with the Jamaica Olympic Association since April. Her English, I found out quickly, is perfect. Her accent sounds like a mixture between Canadian and American. I felt really flattered when I was told, by Mr Rodney, that she made it a habit to read my articles every day. I guess it was just a part of her job.

On our way to the Jamaican living quarters, I could see the many national flags, as usual, adorning the high-rise condominiums where the various countries are housed. The Americans, with their massive team, it appeared, had one of the buildings to themselves.

At the Jamaican quarters, I met the assistant track and field manager, Heleen South, and the administration official, Yvonne Kong.

Earlier, I saw other members of the track and field squad, led by head coach, Raymond 'KC' Graham, and manager, George Peryer, leaving for their first training session. They seemed in high spirits and ready to add to Jamaica's two-medal tally over the next five days.

Also nearby, as some men prepared the stage for the nightly stage shows in the international zone, I saw a now-relaxed swimming silver medallist, Alia Atkinson, sunglasses and all, preparing to go shopping, and her American coach Chris Anderson.

I was also introduced to someone in Jamaican colours, who, at first sight, looked to be an athlete, but I was then told that this was a member of the medical staff, Dr Tahira Redwood.

I do not know her age, but she looked young enough to be an 18-year-old. I hope she takes that as a compliment, because it is.

Do not know if I will have the energy, or the time, but I am feeling this urge to take a public bus tour of this big city. A Canadian photographer told me that there is a bus (number 326) which runs from just outside the Main Press Centre to downtown. He added that he had no problems during his trip and it was cheap, just five pesos or less than J$40 for an eight-mile journey.

Hasta mañana.