News & Observer | newsobserver.com | 2008 NCAA Men's Bracket

BEIJING — Thursday was my first day out in the sultry Beijing air. Sultry and kind of dirty. The smog is no joke. The sky looks brown. One Olympics veteran I spoke to said, "You should have seen it six years ago."

It doesn't seem to be dampening any Chinese spirits. The college women who serve as guides and translators at my hotel practically shove each other out of the way when I approach they're so eager to help and use their English.

Today I asked them to write me a note in Mandarin explaining my ankle situation. And they did, doing it twice to make sure it was right. That little piece of paper already helped me once.

Thursday also was my first day at the Main Press Center, which is 30 minutes by shuttle heading north from my hotel.

Here's the rub: I'm supposed to be covering basketball and the arena is 20 minutes due west of my hotel. But to get to Wukesong Indoor Stadium — no joke, just like Cameron — I have to go North to the MPC then come back south west to the basketball venue. That's a two-hour round-trip if I'm taking media shuttles.

Whose bright idea was that? Actually, it has something to do with security and being in a checked zone or not in a checked zone. Everything has something to do with security here in China. Could be an Olympic thing, too.

The men's basketball team switched practice times so I have to wait another day to touch base with Kobe and K and Kidd. Why? Security.

I need to get patted down and wanded every morning before I get onto a media shuttle to take to the MPC. Why? Security. 

Show me your room key, your media credential and an extra authorized card from the hotel to eat breakfast. Why? Security.

The Chinese seem most concerned about keeping trouble out of these Olympics.