January 31, 2010 On my way to Whistler

I can tell this will be an interesting experience already. I arrived at the airport early to check in. I was early so there was no line up at all so I went right up to the Air Canada counter to check in my bags. I noticed the man at the desk looked at me funny but ignored it. I started to pull out my passport and he said "I don't need to see yours" and I thought, that's a bit wierd. After he was done with me he said "go get 'em at the Olympics". I have no idea how he knew who or what I was because I am sure he doesn't say that to just anyone. I then walked straight to the A concourse to go through the gauntlet of security. Again, no line at all and not busy whatsoever. There was a young security girl there, red hair and she looked about 25 yrs. old. She started with her "Hello, bonjour, do you have any liquids, gels" etc. and then stops in mid sentence and looks up and down at me and says, "are you going to the Olympics?" I said, in a low and quiet voice, "yes, I am a doping control officer". She burst out laughing and then yelled to the very front where the scanners are and yelled " hey, this guy is a doping control guy for the Olympics". I walked right up, no questions asked, put my stuff in the trays, and the girl goes, "oh you don't have to take your shoes off" and just waves me through and I was through in about 20 sec. when people on both sides were getting the strip search, full body pat down....
I know this won't last but it was great.
Tim

Well, I just checked into my hotel at 9:00 pm. Accomodations has been a hot topic for athletes and volunteer staff alike. I have to say VANOC spared no expense for us. I am staying at the Nitalake lodge. My hotel room is over 1,000 sq. ft. with 2 huge private bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms with a jacuzzi and 3 T.V.'s. I feel like they are buttering us up for a lot of work and some long days doing testing. Rumour has it that we are scheduled to do 2,000 tests during the Winter Olympics with 1,000 to be done in the first 12 days. Training day tomorrow where we will receive our accreditation and our Olympic uniforms... more tomorrow.
Tim

Preparations for the Olympics

My name is Tim Takahashi. I am a Doping Control Officer as part of the Anti-doping team at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. I will be based out of Whistler Village in Whistler, B.C. and will be at the games from Feb. 1, 2010 to March 1, 2010. I hope to use this blog to post information, stories, experiences and events from the Winter Olympics for my co-workers, family, friends, and colleagues. More to come as the games get closer!