NOBODY told me there would be days like this. But it's the real thing, alright. The locals are dubbing it "Hotlanta" but as the first Irish gymnast to compete in an Olympic Games, I think the whole thing is pretty cool.
Even though I'm in action in the first phase of the all round competition today, I decided to take part in the opening ceremony last night. Almost six hours on your feet, I know. But how could I miss it? It's something that will stay on my mind forever.
After all the preparations and the build up, it is nice to know that D Day has arrived. In fairness, there has been no sense of boredom since my arrival here in the village eight days ago. My coach, CJ Johnson, who is also the head coach at the University of Illinois where I'm doing a masters in Marketing, is with me.
The village is amazing, a self contained city in many ways really, without the distractions of traffic jams and such like. It's almost like Disneyworld. Cinemas, state of the art gyms, restaurants - yes, even a McDonald's - and superb sporting facilities, of course. We have been made to feel special.
UPS also have a presence in the village, which came in handy for me on Thursday. I had to finish a term paper and dispatch it off to college - so, the official Olympic carriers turned out to be the right people in the right place at the right time. It also took my mind off the Games for a little while, too.
Paid my first visit to the Georgia Dome last Monday. Impressive place. I'd spent a couple of days practising in the training ball in the convention centre. However, the platform in the Dome is raised four feet off the ground - quite different from the venues we usually perform in - and the lights are taking some adjusting to, but there was a tremendous atmosphere in the venue. Hard to think it was just for practice.
Still, I walked away thinking `I wish that was the competition'. My preparations have been going well and Monday's exercises on the podium confirmed that assessment. I'm used to competing in front of big crowds at college events in the United States and I've also experienced European and World championships, so the huge numbers attending the gymnastics will, I feel, provide a boost more than anything else.
Indeed, CJ felt things had progressed so well that I decided to take a complete rest on Thursday and yesterday. I'll be raring to go when the competition starts.
The novelty of being the first Irishman to compete in an Olympics gymnastics competition has extended outside our own circle. I know a lot of the US squad from college competition, but numerous other people have approached me and wished me the best of luck. That's nice.
Okay, I may not be able to beat the likes of Vitaly Scherbo or Li Xiaoshuang, but if I can make it into the top 36 after the sessions today and Monday, qualifying for the final stages, I will be over the moon. The standard, however, is very high. In the past, there was just one Soviet team of seven gymnasts. Now, with the break up of the USSR, there are five Russian teams of seven. That emphasises the quality of competition.
Still, it is great to be part of it all. To be an Olympian. I intend to enjoy it.
(In an interview with Philip Reid)
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