2010 Winter Olympics: Hangin' With Olympic Legend Bonnie Blair at the USA House

Last week, I visited the USOC-run USA House. It is not open to the public and has become the stomping grounds for athletes, sponsors, and dignitaries.

USOC Director of Corporate Partnerships John Pierce gave me a tour. The hip facility includes the USA Team Store, a media work room, the AT&T All-access Lounge with complimentary Acer laptops, Panasonic flat screens with a constant stream of the Olympics, Wii entertainment, the Bud Lounge with full bar facilities, and a constant flow of free food.

My husband would have threatened to move in.

The USA House hosts both past and present Olympic athletes. At one point, I chatted with Olympic gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson.

OK, I mostly acted like a giggling groupie when I asked to take her picture.

The true highlight was meeting one of my idols: Olympic legend Bonnie Blair (see my interview with her here).

She was instrumental in helping me win the Microsoft Office Winter Games Contest. We spent an hour together talking about Office '10, her Olympic experiences, and visiting Allstate’s Hall of Fame Tribute Wall, where she will be included amongst the chalk murals. Bonnie told me the reason why I was her choice for winning the contest is because she loved the humorous perspective I shared on my blog about motherhood.

Following our interview, we watched speed skating on the 105" Panasonic television in the Bud Lounge. Bonnie gave me the insider scoop on the behind-the-scenes action, and we were reprimanded for being too loud.

It was then that I knew she was my kindred spirit.

It was fascinating to watch the qualifying heats of the 1,500m Men's Short Track, as Apolo Ohno strove to tie her record. I entitled this photo, "I'm coming for you."

And he did later that night when he won the silver medal. He now shares Bonnie's record for the most medals awarded to an athlete at the Winter Olympics.

She was, of course, gracious about his victory. I was so inspired and entertained by her that I knew I'd be her BFF if we lived in the same town.

Or I’d most certainly be her stalker.

 

Amber is the winner of the Office Winter Games contest from Microsoft Office 2010 and will be reporting from Vancouver throughout the Games.