Touchdown at birthplace of Olympics

MICHAEL VILLANI

For more than a week since my first article appeared in this paper, I

have been deluged with well-wishers calling or stopping me on the

street, asking if I was getting excited about going to the Olympics.

“Frankly,” I’d tell them, “I’ve been bustling so much getting

ready, I haven’t had a chance to think about it.”

Well, now, sitting in row 29, seat A, in this Boeing 767, rolling

down an LAX runway on the way to the city that started the whole

thing, I can tell you all, I was finally getting very excited!

I’ve done my homework, met with coaches Dan Glenn from Newport

Harbor and Charlie Brande from UC Irvine and picked their brains

about what I could expect as the venue announcer for indoor

volleyball.

I met with Bob Ctvrtlik -- International Olympic Committee member,

1988 gold medalist and men’s team captain -- in his office in Newport

Center. He mentioned trying to get me into the Olympic Village for a

“look around.” In the seat next to me was Los Angeles voice actor and

my dear friend David Jeremiah, who was going to the Games as the

baseball venue announcer. I realized what a fantastic opportunity

this is -- and they’re paying me to do it.

So the journey begins, after a two-hour layover in the Big Apple,

Davey J. and I wing our way to Athens and a week of rehearsal and

then two weeks of raw athleticism as the world watches. Yes, it will

be exciting, and I’ll do my best to bring as much of that excitement

as I can to you as I report from the Games.

A little jet lag can’t hurt

Boy am I dragging.

A 10-hour time difference has finally set in. As I sit in my room

in the Hotel Filreas on the coast of Athens, gazing out at my venue,

the beautifully lighted Peace and Friendship Arena, I realize the

enormity of such an undertaking as staging the Olympic Games. After

today’s activities, I can also understand why such an undertaking can

run into the billions.

A 9 a.m. call for all sports presentation staff had my colleagues

and I winding our way by metro through the bustling streets to the

Athens Olympic Committee headquarters to receive our credentials,

extended work visas and uniforms. After this 3 1/2 -hour exercise,

Davey J., myself and Tim Hughes, the boxing venue announcer and KSL

Salt Lake City personality, head to Olympic Stadium to see just how

ready this city will be to host the Games.

Upon entering this massive complex and going through pretty

extensive security (thank God), we realize there’s still much work to

be done. After our tour and several interviews from Tim for feeds

back to KSL, everyone, from electricians to venue managers, assure us

that even though it’s just days before the biggest event this city

will ever see, all will be in place.

Believe me, it’s gonna be close.

Back at the hotel, it’s off to dinner with new friends from all

over the world and an early evening as I try to get used to the

plywood mattress that I will occupy for the next 22 days.

Tomorrow, it’s off to see the changing of the guards, a ritual in

this ancient city for many years. And then at 3 p.m., there’s an

announcer training workshop, whatever that is. The event coordinators

have asked me to help with that, so I’ll let you know as I report

from the Games.