Saturday I went back earlier in the day to spend more time in the Market St since they all closed up at 9pm the night before. I wanted to go back to the TDK booth to take a blue screen pic as when I got the email it said the jpeg file was empty. There was a longer line up this time but I took the pic with my camera as well this time. When I got home the second jpeg still says file is empty.

There was another blue screen pic you could take in the Samsung booth coming thru the finish line. Again I took with my camera as there was no option to email it. In another booth they had the starting blocks where you could take pics with a face track pic behind. The Addidas booth was taking pics of people against a wall of peoples pictures. Not sure what they were doing other than building their wall with more pics.

I found the Athletes Experience Zone. Here you could practice on a hurdles track outside. Inside was a museum type exhibit where you could hold a javelin to get a feel. The next hall beside was a darkened room with more computer simulations.

There was another blue screen where you can take a pic on the medals podium or outside the stadium. I took one on the medals podium. You could email it but unfortunately the final pic is too small to really see the person. There were also computer simulations where you could run against an animated projection on a big screen.

After this I wanted to check out the Athletes Warm Up Track. Again, my pass does not allow me to this, but I was going to just play dumb and see how far I could get. There was a gate with a uniform police officer, who took no notice of me as I walked past with my badge around my neck. Sucess!

I was going to continue walking and see how far I could get. You start to see coaches or other officials walking past you in their team uniforms and passes. A short walk was the warm up track. Again there was a police officer at the gate who took no notice of me with my pass. Yes, I was in!!

This was a large track field with a much smaller seating area only on one side. Athletes were practicing on the track and on one side hurdles were setup. The middle of the field was grass where officials and coaches were watching and talking. Around the perimeter of the track were tents for each nations athletes. Some were sitting and warming up, others were empty.

There was a live feed from the stadium on the large screen. By the gate was a call sheet with the athletes event start times. By the gate was a large covered building. Inside was a weight training room, massage room, medical staff, and ice room.

No photography is allowed since press are not allowed here, so the athletes can focus on warming up. I briefly made a video to prove I made it here (yes, criminal charges now pending!), but kept it short so as not to attract attention and get booted out.

Video : Athletes Warm Up Area
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9DwEPvr knE

The women were practicing for the hurdles which was one of the evenings events. They were practicing their start off the blocks and making the first two hurdles. Many coaches were standing by observing and discussing.

After this I headed towards the stadium as the events were starting at 7pm. We were on a private route and it led me into one of the restricted parts of the stadium for coaches and athletes. instead of going into the basement where the athletes enter the field, I went up to try to get a good seat.

I didnt realize it but this entrance is where all the media pods overlooking the stadium were. There were rows of broadcasters from different nations wearing their headsets and monitoring their feeds. Some were setting up for a live shot with their network. Earlier I had met two CBC Radio reporters who told me where they were sitting but I wasnt sure.

I'm surprised no-one was taking any notice of me since I was breaching security in so many places, as I had done on Monday when I went to the Media Centre. All of the volunteers would smile and say 'humsumnida' (thank you) and I would smile and nod my head back 'anyanghaseyo' (hello).

The Daegu Games is a once in a lifetime event for me as I dont think I'll ever get to goto an Olympics or major sporting event like this. I'm very grateful for my pass which not only allowed me free entrance everyday, but unofficially game me clearance to so many restricted zones attendees never get to see.