Tom Baloo and the realization of the Olympic dream
Trip Start
Jun 10, 2008
1
10
21
Trip End
Jan 25, 2009
Beijing,
China
Thursday, August 14, 2008
This was Tom's 7th Olympics. He shared quite a handful of incredible stories about earlier trips to China and southeast Asia and previous Olympics. For instance, he once got set up with some beautiful 20-something girl in Xian by a bunch of old drunken Chinese men while on a mission smuggling bibles into China in the early 90s. Also, he, with no affiliation, other than emotional, with the American Olympic team, he joined them on stage in both Sydney and Torino. The only common element amongst these stories was Tom's interest in people over organization. And it really seems like people were both a means and an ends for him.
Group photo
If approached the right way, with the right attitude, penetrating the Olympic organizational scheme can become both a game and a joy. My friend Max, quite accurately, I think, likened this attitude to Baloo from the Jungle Book (the Disney one,not the white man's burden-y Kipling story) - the "bear" necessities. He lumbered through red tape more like a big, happy bear than a squirmish, worrisome person. I really felt like I should be calling him sen se or something, but no, Tom would suffice.He saw almost every event he wanted to for free. You may wonder how? It seems like at least some sabotage, some conniving might be necessary. But no, unabashed friendliness and a generally casual attitude is just about all you need. First he'd meet friends of athletes, reporters, etc. at events, restaurants, bars. Then they'd connect him to get him a little ways through the door. At places like the America house he'd meet family members of athletes. They'd become friends, go drinking, whatever. Then they'd get him a friends pass, meaning at the end of the day, you can clean up on unclaimed tickets for the next morning, for free.. Then he'd meet athletes who both had and hadn't filled their allotted numbers of family passes. Next thing you know, Tom had a family pass, giving him first pick on free tickets. With a little friendliness and a jovial nature, he made friends with the boss of complimentary ticket place. Now, he could basically take all of the unclaimed tickets for any event. Of course, these went out to just about just every new friend he made along the way (how Max and I got to see baseball for free). Now he was seeing events all day with a party of a dozen or so people. AND with a few connections, in the past at least, I don't know about this year, he got an insider tip on the outfit the team, coaches, and families would be wearing in the closing ceremonies. In Torino and Sidney, he just lumbered into the parade with his pass and outfit and was on stage partying with all of his new friends. If this isn't karma, or zen or something, I don't know what is - but it's definitely the Olympic spirit of brotherhood that only comes around for 3 weeks of every 750. Tom, I salute you.
I have his email address.
