My first view of Beijing was from the air, and I was surprised to see so many of the buildings having red and blue coloured roofs. What struck me most was the sheer scale of this city, stretching approximately 120km wide and long.

Once on land, the Olympic presence was felt immediately, with staff in Olympic uniform all around the airport, offering maps and advise on the games. Every road, bus and building was also bannered with the Olympic branding.

We headed off to our hotel and then over to the Johnson & Johnson command centre to meet all the people coordinating the sponsorship of the Games.

Our whirlwind day started straight away with tickets to the Men’s 105kg weightlifting event.

We headed over to the site by taxi straight through Tiananmen Square. I hadn’t realized that the square would be like a giant crossroads with cars traveling in every direction. We arrived at the weightlifting early, to clear security and experience the building of excitement around the event. I have never experienced such a hive of activity and the electric atmosphere was addictive. Each event is supported by a theatrical show including the Olympic mascots.

What I loved the most was seeing each countries individual supporters. The Syrian support crew in the crowd cheered all the way. The Chinese children and students are present at every turn wearing stickers and banners on their heads.

At each event, all the country flags fly, reminding you of just how many countries actually take part in these games, and the banner of “One World, One Dream” is never far away.
Day 1 ended with tickets to the Men’s 54kg featherweight boxing. Again, another stunning event with Botswana supporters chanting the loudest.

So as for “Going Bananas in Beijing” . . .It’s a crazy city, I haven’t had any bananas as yet, but I have experienced my first apple/pear . . .a very strange experience of eating an apple that tastes like a pear. That’s it for day one . . .keep watching out for more updates later.

Moving around Beijing is really easy but not always simple. When I got to China, I had my Olympic accreditation from Johnson & Johnson that allows me get into the Olympic Green and also free tickets for the subway.

Moving around Beijing is really easy but not always simple. When I got here I had my Olympic accreditation from Johnson & Johnson that allows me get into the Olympic Green and also free tickets for the subway.

The Olympic Green is like a small city specially designed for the Olympic Games, it’s the place where you find most of the venues in Beijing and the Johnson & Johnson pavilion, which really impressed me. The only way to get in is by subway or in case you are an athlete by car. I try to take the subway to get anywhere; it’s clearn, efficient, but sometimes it can get very crowded when there is an athletic event. Before I get into the subway a policeman checks my bags and I have to pass it thru a magnetic detector, and the same thing happens before I get into the Olympic green.

During the morning Maria, Lynn and I went to the marionette performance organized by Johnson & Johnson in a beautiful park. Marionettes are like 6 meters tall and represent a terracotta warrior and a Chinese girl. The amazing performance lasts about an hour, and Chinese seem to enjoy it so much just like I did. They are very curious and I’m starting to believe that I could be a super star here; they stop me to ask if they can have a picture with me, which also seems to work for me since I also get a picture with them but with my camera.

The night before my flight to China, it was almost impossible for me to get some sleep – first because I was so excited and second because I had to wake early in the morning to get my flight. I thought I could see Beijing from the airplane but it is impossible. There were only clouds and some smog, and then suddenly . . .I landed. It is 3:43 pm in the afternoon. Hello Beijing!

Since the moment you arrive you can feel the excitement of the Olympic Games, you see athletes walking around the airport and of course banners of the Olympic Games with Johnson & Johnson being one of the sponsors. It was weird how quiet the airport was. It seemed that everybody was at the National Stadium cheering for his or her country. After I got to the hotel I decided to go and meet with the staff that is involved with the Johnson & Johnson sponsorship, and get my accreditation for the Games.

That afternoon, I decided to walk around Beijing. It is majestic! Everything is so spectacular, so big, so amazing. As I walked near the National Stadium I saw Chinese people dancing at the park, kids skating, old men playing cards. Suddenly, far away I can see the National Stadium (they also call it “the Bird’s Nest”). It is really beautiful and modern. Near the Bird’s Nest is the National Aquatics Centre (they also call that “the Water Cube”) with colors changing every moment. Unless you have tickets for the events you can’t get close to the National Stadium, but the news is that every event is already sold out, or at least that’s what they say when you ask the volunteers. Do you believe them?

The next day I got ready to meet with my mate, Maria Kielar, and get ready for some action. This is the first day that we will be able to get into the Olympic Green, which is the place where most of the events take place and is where the Johnson & Johnson Olympic Games Pavilion is located. It is here where we have the chance to talk to Sherman Glass, who works in manufacturing for McNeil Consumer Health in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in the USA. He is the father of Kimberly Glass, a volleyball player of the US national team. “Number ten”, says the proud father as I ask him about his daughter. He believes teamwork is the most important value that can be applied at work and in sports such as volleyball.
After talking to Kathy (Kim’s mom) and Sherman, we go to attend a press conference, organized by the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute, whose mission is “caring for the world, one person at a time,” as Dr. Kenneth Moritsugu who works at the institute said.

That afternoon we got tickets for swimming, so Maria and I got ready and walked from the Johnson & Johnson Olympic Games Pavilion to the Water Cube. But before we got there, we went for a quick shopping trip at the official shop to buy some souvenirs. Pins of the Olympics Games seem to be the most popular gift. It was very crowded and we spent more time getting into the shop than actually buying souvenirs.

We then walked to the Water Cube, and as we’re walking we can see the Bird’s Nest, too. When we get to the Water Cube we see the magnificent colors that really impress me. The Chinese are very nice and everybody is ready to help you. The first impressions from our trip so far are very spectacular!

I’m lucky to be part of Johnson & Johnson’s Olympics team; as a result, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in Beijing. To an outsider like me, it is a city of juxtapositions. To look up is to see its amazing future — tall skyscrapers speak to its economic growth. To look down is to see its proud traditions and past – well-worn bicycles bearing workers to and from work, handmade brooms clearing the dust from the air that’s settled along the curbs. We’ve all seen the sleek and awesome structures that are the “Bird’s Nest” and the “Water Cube.” The people who keep the venues going congregate in modest communities at the fringes of the Olympic Green. In its quest to demonstrate to the world its rightful place on the global stage, I hope China doesn’t relinquish the rich theatre that makes it the unique place it is.

The photographer is Anne Lebus, Customer Support Specialist at the Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics European Support Center (OCDESC) in Illkirch, France

At the Johnson & Johnson Olympic Games Pavilion this afternoon we were able to meet Tim and Amy Crandall. Mr. Crandall has worked for Johnson & Johnson for about 30 years. He and his wife are the proud parents of Lauren Crandall of the USA Women’s Field Hockey Team. Can you imagine being 1 of 16 people selected to represent your country in a sport? The Crandall’s were beaming with pride as they spoke about their Olympian and her journey to Beijing.

The dedication of Olympic Athletes is quite admirable. Yet, I was equally impressed with the support and dedication the Crandall’s have shown their daughter by traveling first to Russia and then to China to see her compete. Their Olympic Spirit was contagious — they charmed several people in our Pavilion with their USA garb.

I learned tonight that the human eye can have up to 20/8 vision. Talk about Go Go Gadget eyes (I finally got to use an Inspector Gadget reference!)

As a sports enthusiast, I realize that there are many more elements than sheer athleticism that play a role in an athlete’s successes. It was interesting to hear during last night’s press conference about the testing The Vision Care Institute, a Johnson & Johnson company, has done in the US and the UK to help Olympic athletes take their abilities up a notch. Hand-eye coordination is extremely important, so The Vision Care Institute successfully completed tests on athletes to help boost their athletic performance by improving their eyes. Examples of athletic movements that utilize hand-eye coordination include throwing the javelin while running, swinging a baseball bat to connect with a ball, and returning a 200 mph badminton serve.

FYI for fans of baseball: The average baseball players’ vision is 20/12.

The photographer is Anne Lebus, Customer Support Specialist at the Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics European Support Center (OCDESC) in Illkirch, France

On Aug. 10 at the Johnson & Johnson Olympic Pavilion, Anne and I attended a presentation by Johnson & Johnson China on the topic of Olympic Stars. The stars being honored were the mothers of all the Olympic athletes. I’d have to agree that many of the athletes probably owe much of their success to their mothers. Mom’s are great (try disagreeing with me on that one)! Interestingly enough, Johnson & Johnson recently broke the world record for the most mother and baby photos in China. It was a great presentation and the ambiance was set by the many cute drawings made by Kindergarten classes in Shanghai.

The photographer is Anne Lebus, Customer Support Specialist at the Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics European Support Center (OCDESC) in Illkirch, France

……………
I had the opportunity to stroll the grounds of The Olympic Green today to look at all the sponsor showcases while Anne went to attend the Men’s Gymnastics Event. I was surprised because it was relatively empty compared to last night when it was flooded with all the people waiting to see the Opening Ceremonies . You have to be a VIP like me to get into The Olympic Green but an Olympic sporting event ticket will also do the trick. I guess that makes me 50% VIP then.

The Olympic Green is also home of the Johnson & Johnson Olympic Games Pavilion. It is an awe-inspiring building, and one marvels at the green factor. Bamboo is planted everywhere! Bamboo is growing in various gardens throughout the inside and outside of the building, offering a respite from the heat.

When you enter the Johnson & Johnson Pavilion the first thing to do is hear several touching stories about the heroism shown in the aftermath of the recent earthquake in China. I was humbled by the moment of silence held at 2:28 PM honoring those who passed away in the earthquake.

While in the Johnson & Johnson Pavilion, we had the opportunity to listen in on a stop smoking initiative press conference. Johnson & Johnson is helping to motivate the Chinese people to live a more healthy lifestyle by implementing a smoke-free workplace environment.

I was also able to see the stunningly beautiful and poised Terracotta Warriors that are being showcased in our Pavilion. Johnson & Johnson is actively participating in the preservation efforts of the Emperor Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Army by studying the prevention of mold damage to preserve the soldiers forever. It is definitely a “give you chills moment” to look in the eye of a 2,200 year-old warrior!

Ever since arriving in Beijing I have been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to attend a sporting event. We received one of the hottest tickets in town . . .Beach Volleyball!

That, my friends, was an absolute spectacle. The athleticism was unreal and I can’t believe the jumping abilities these athletes have. It made my 2-inch vertical jump all the more pathetic to think about. The Beach Volleyball event featured a game show announcer who got everyone pumped up in between massive techno beats. The energy in the Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground was a sight to behold. The highlight of the night was watching the USA Women win. Consistent with the beach theme, all the fans participated in a wave. For all of you stadium wave purists, it was exactly the same here so don’t you worry

Yes, as you’ve read in many places, the air is thick. But
the air is also thick with something of significance.

That is the sound of many languages… the sound of a child laughing with delight at
a live cultural event… the halting English of a Beijing native who is
trying to help an American find a taxi. It is the sound of old China
merging with new China. It is the sound of the rest of the world
reconciling itself to this merger.

It’s the sound of human potential – as exemplified by sport – once
again helping make the world a smaller and friendlier place.

And yes, as you’ve already seen or heard, the opening ceremony was
awesome – 2,008 synchronized drummers will really rock a stadium. It
was also touching. Those of us fortunate enough to have attended will
likely see no grander, more positive spectacle in our lifetimes.

As today wore on, the sound of tensions emerged too, in reports of an
attack on tourists and a tour guide, followed by suicide of the
attacker.

At a whole different level, a simple fable that Johnson & Johnson
sponsored in a public park in Beijing really captured the Games for
me. In this dance fable, a young girl (representing the China of
today) is attracted to a butterfly and begins to follow it. Her
movement catches the notice of an ancient warrior, embodied in terra
cotta armor (representing China’s traditions). He wakes and seems
touched by the girl’s play. To help her attract the butterfly, he
faces a dilemma – he must put down his sword to join her game.
Ultimately, the terra cotta warrior does relinquish the weapon. Then,
the butterfly lights gently upon him, and the warrior and the girl
become friends.

Admittedly, we tell this simple tale with twenty-foot tall marionettes
controlled by cranes and dozens of dancers (this IS the Olympics after
all). But the mesmerizing live act represents, for me, the true
tensions and hopes inherent in these magnificent Games.

My appreciation does go out to China and its people for
creating this opportunity. And, then, for remaining open to it, my
gratitude extends to the rest of the world.

But to help employees (like me!) who couldn’t make the journey to the games get in the Olympic spirit, a few J&Jers have been asked to blog internally about their experiences — but over the next few weeks don’t be surprised to see a few of their posts — as well as some other folks from Johnson & Johnson who are there — on JNJBTW. Just wanted to give a heads up that there may be some additional voices on JNJBTW over the next few days…