I Slept Through an Earthquake
Chang Lee thought he was hung over — again. Several people woke up at 5:35 a.m. and didn’t really know why. Motoko Rich also woke up then but knew exactly why. She lives here. I, on the other hand, was asleep and stayed that way until my alarm went off at 6 a.m. I checked my phone and saw all the chatter in our Olympics WhatsApp chat: Did you feel it? No, first i’m hearing of it, must be the Ambien. Oh my god, I knew it! I thought it was the dryer in my room causing all the shaking! Motoko says we are now all honorary Japanese with nonchalant earthquake experience.
What I didn’t miss however, was the women’s 400-meter hurdles race between Dalilah Muhammad, who we did this big piece on and Sydney McLaughlin. Anyone see it? An amazing race that saw both of them run faster than the world record. Our team was there in full and broke the race down, practically hurdle by hurdle. How Sydney McLaughlin Beat Her Own World Record to Win Gold.
Side note: In the time between the morning session and the evening session, when very few people were out on the track, Jeremy decided he was going to run the 100-meter dash on an Olympic track. Was a bit of a track star in high school — like 30 years ago!
About 50 meters in, right where the Olympic rings are painted on the track, he stopped short and grabbed his hamstring. He can barely walk and has been icing it all day. The rest of us haven’t stopped laughing.
Tomorrow I’ll be heading to the final of the men’s climbing competition. “No cheering in the press box,” the saying goes, but I do have a horse in the race. The gang and I spent two weeks in the Czech Republic right before the world shut down for the pandemic. We went to spend time with the world’s greatest climber, Adam Ondra. Great guy; obsessed with climbing; really long neck.
He was extremely generous with his time and let us film two weeks worth of preparation for what was supposed to be the 2020 Games. We showed up with lots of cameras and lights and motion capture equipment and followed him from speed gym to bouldering gym to lead gym. And then to his home, where he has built an entire room filled with climbing holds. He literally climbs the walls.
He speaks six languages, has a degree in economics, but all he wants to do is climb. He lives in Brno, one of Eastern Europe’s most beautiful cities. Kind of like Prague, but smaller and many fewer tourists. Although I was a tourist in Prague and would gladly do that again anytime.
Here is a trailer for the piece we did on Adam.
You can see the entire piece here. (As a reminder, if you’re not a Times subscriber, you still get 10 free articles a month, you just have to put in your email.)
Here is a gallery of photos from the trip to Brno.
Eat at Joe’s 
I would suggest if you want to try an Olympic activity to stay off of everything. (Track, pommel horse, regular horse, climbing wall, bike etc). Maybe try golf. Putting green, maybe. I think the fellow from Brno might be a relative so we are rooting for him too. 🇨🇿🇨🇿
Stay safe!! Almost done
I’m shocked you slept in that late, you must be tired! Though, if Chang was hungover, maybe you were passed out. Too much sake?
Both the hurdles and climbing pieces are great! Will you have another spot on Instagram?
Glad you slept through the earthquake!! I had a few moments of concern when the news broke.
Poor Jeremy- no sympathy from his co workers
We’ll be cheering for Ondra. If he does well maybe he will celebrate with Slivovitz 😊.
Joe, does Ondra’s height hurt him in Speed? Seems like you wanna be a compact little guy to go faster. … I do love that “resting” is hanging horizontally to the ground from great height. I’d need a hammock to rest in that position.
Joe, does Ondra’s height hurt him in speed? Seems like you’d wanna be a compact little guy to go faster. …. And I love that “resting” is hanging horizontal to the ground from great height. I’d need a hammock to rest like that.
@Michigan nephew, you’ve seen me putt, I could hurt myself there too! I’m staying clear of all things athletic. Leaving it to the Olympians. Also, it’s going to be 95 degrees today, so I’m staying inside until tonight when I go to climbing.
@OSW, Thanks, but no more IG appearances for me. And no sake (yet) either. All the big projects are done for us, so just going to cruise through the final days.
@Michigan Sister, we were totally egging Jeremy on to do it. He took the bait! Also, I’m not sure why anyone would celebrate with kerosene.
@KIR, yeah, many of the fastest guys are small and quick. Adam is neither. His height usually helps him on lead though. I don’t think there’s a rule prohibiting hammocks. So nothing stopping you from competing in 2024.
Even though I’m fairly certain you’re not at the Track and Field events I’m watching tonight, I’m still scanning the background looking for you. But it’s making me wonder why the stadium seating is full of random colors. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason. What do you know?
Hi Teresa, We believe the seats are painted to give the illusion that it’s not a completely empty stadium, even though everyone knows that it is. I’m not at T&F today but i did hear from people who saw us on NBC during gymnastics.
You were spotted at gymnastics? Without a sign??
Glad all your big projects are done. We aren’t seeing much climbing on TV.
Are you out of quarantine now? Have you gone out to eat with Chang?
yes, out of quarantine, thankfully no nights out with Chang. But a NYT dinner Friday night.
Bib #2917 Earthquake?? Are you sure it wasn’t your stomach rumbling??
OSW I’ve had a problem finding live climbing but have been able to watch almost all of it online, NBC replays, signed-in through my cable provider (my link to it below) (like 5 hours long) I believe men’s final will be live on the same site at 3:30pm eastern time TODAY. It’s been fun watching the men & women. Some of them so young. And I’m loving the French Mawem brothers! Of course, routing for the Czech guy.
https://www.nbcolympics.com/replays/sport/sport-climbing
So I am watching “race walking”. (Only because it showed up on the screen and like an accident I couldn’t look away). I hope you didn’t spend too much time on this event. They made a comment that no Americans are in the race. My first thought was thank goodness!! This is ridiculous.
Anything crazy at your NYT dinner tonight?
Games are almost done!! When do you come home?
Hey Michigan Nephew, be glad you stumbled upon the race walking; It may be the last time you see it since the WOKE Olympics Committee has deemed it offensive ( its been an Olympic sport since 1932) because there isn’t an equal women’s event , and stated its the last time for this event, at least in this format.The lowest rated and fewest viewed Olympics in memory and they just keep throwing dirt on themselves. Joe, you gotta retire before subjecting yourself to more political bs. Your work really stands out because you are about the athlete’s performance and the technical and emotional aspects of the events. That is refreshing and we thank you for being the Pro you are. When It comes to Joe’s performance, the judges are all holding up 10’s!
Again glad to see a post , Joe , thought I must say that your commentary gives me more info than TRYING to watch the Olympics in toto . Coverage is in snippits , sometimes only one Gymnast at a time , and following a whole discipline is nearly impossible. I want to turn on NBC in the evening and watch it! Okay , enough gripping . Be safe , be aware of any tremors , and come home safely.