We have waited for success of Georgian sportsmen and sportswomen for two days in vain. The only medal was expected in judo today. Other expectations were to overcome the preliminary stages and it did not happen.
The first disappointment was yesterday when Kristine Esebua took the 34th place among 64 participants in the qualifying round.
Today gym sports started for Georgians and we will have to go to exhibition center “Excell” every day till the end of Olympics. It is a huge sports complex.
It is the first days and I can hardly make clear between underground-overground. I visit media-center to watch desired event. Buses serve journalists. This route let me lose precious moments, sometimes even hours. “Media-buses” are very punctual. I counted on preliminary plan of organizers to attend archers’ competition. I thought, buses leave every 10 minutes and 45 minutes before the start of the stage I arrived at platform which was empty. It turned out that pauses were increased up to one hour. It was no use take public transport because there was a chance that I could not attend competition of Kristine Esebua at all. Finally, I chose official bus but I was very late.
I had chance to talk to Esebua only after the end of the opening ceremony but the sportswoman did not make comment. As for the opening ceremony, I have never received such positive emotions before. It was a fantastic evening and everybody mentions it. Several episodes can be distinguished, including appearance of James Band and Queen Elizabeth II on the stadium with parachute. The ceremony ended up with Paul McCartney. I returned from Olympic stadium at dawn. I rested for two hours and went to judo gym. I arrived at “Excell” after one hour and half journey. The tournament opened with fight of Shukvani and Dickins. The Georgian defeated the opponent.
Shukvani was winning over Milous of France but 5 seconds before the final siren the Georgian lost the fight.
More than half of 50 Georgian fans entered the judo gym when interesting moment for us was already passed. We found out news of boxer Merab Turkadze in the gym. He could not pass weight. I had to attend track cycling where Giorgi Nadiradze participated. I decided to wait for Giorgi at finish but he could not end the cycling and… I had nothing to do at the finish… July 29 is very busy day for Georgian delegation. Judoka Lasha Shavdatuashvili, shooter Nino Salukvadze and tennis players: Anna Tatishvili and Maka Chakhnashvili will compete in Olympics. The first event of Georgian house is planned at 7:00 in the evening. Perhaps, Mikheil Saakashvili, president of Georgia, will attend it. Though, this event may be postponed, if god wants and any of our sportsmen or sportswomen stand on the highest step of the pedestal.
Otar Maglakelidze, special correspondent of worldsport.ge from London
Photos by author
