History

Yesterday my day was chock full of history. I saw it, I read about it, and I experienced it. Being in Berlin is a chance to see firsthand things you’ve only been able to read about in History books…that is if you ever bothered to even read your history books. I can honestly say that there is a lot of history I could stand to have a better grasp on. Which is why coming to places like this is special—I’m seeing with my own eyes places and events that now take on a whole deeper meaning to me. If you don’t mind, I’d like to show you a few of the things I experienced yesterday…I promise it’s a better read than your history book. That’s mainly because it’s not really a read at all…I just want to post a few pictures!

I spent the afternoon learning about, and seeing with my very own eyes, the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie. There is still a portion of the wall that exists today as a reminder of what was. The checkpoint was the only place where you could cross over from the East to the West during the Cold War. While visiting the museum (my friends will be thoroughly shocked by that), I was able to read about and witness the incredible lengths people went to trying to escape over the wall.





Later that night I went to the track to experience a different type of history. The 1936 Olympic Stadium has an extremely important history of it’s own, but I’m going to save that for another post. I went to the stadium last night because I knew the 100-meter race would be special, and it did not disappoint. I’ve been witness to a few World Records and it’s always amazing to see someone run faster than any human has ever ran before. But what Bolt did last night fell into a category that far surpasses anything I’ve ever seen. In your mind you have an idea of what human capabilities are. 9.58 seemed to go beyond that, but yet, with my own eyes I saw it happen. It’s true that you probably get a much better view when you watch the race on television, but I wanted to be in the stadium to truly experience it. The energy was palpable and there was a thrill and excitement that ran through the crowd that can be replicated on television. There was also an American Record set in that same race. Obviously it will be grossly overshadowed by the out of this world performance turned in by Usain, but when you know the history of your sport, and realize the tradition of phenomenal sprinters our country has produced, you have to still be in awe of the ability of Tyson Gay to run faster than any American has done before.




I’m glad I went, but it will probably be the only time I visit the stadium before I compete on Friday. For those of you watching at home on T.V., I wonder if its just as exciting as it is here in person? I sure hope so.