LONDON - From Big Ben to the London Eye. Each point of view of the Olympic beach volleyball stadium in London in all its majesty.
Get inside will not be easy, either.
The players knew they would be competing in the showcase home of the Summer Games. And now they have finally met in person, almost every one of them is in the fear of facing the opening matches on Saturday to play pool.
"It's really perfect, it is the only word I can say," said Swiss coach Stefan explored Kobal Friday when a rival of Russia in one of six training tracks side by side hidden among trees and greenery.
During training, a squirrel carrying a nut in his mouth ran down the beach in a field.
A leafy park, spectacular scenic surrounds horse Guards Parade, and to date only the Queen herself can travel through a nearby door. It is not great enough for you? It is also just outside Westminster Abbey.
The defense of the U.S. gold medalist Todd Rogers is quick to recognize the beach volleyball players is better than most.
"Other athletes probably upset because their sport has been around 100 years and we are the spoiled children. From my point of view is great," said Rogers. "I think beach volleyball is so lucky. In all Olympic Games, everyone has raved about the venue, from Sydney. We have a historic site."
Beach volleyball in the heart of central London will focus on Olympic competition Saturday, along with swimming medals first. U.S. rival Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps will compete in the 400-meter individual medley.
The two-time gold medalist U.S. defense pair of Jennings and Kerri Walsh Misty May-Treanor will be the match function in the gallery of beach volleyball.
"It's amazing. Only this area itself is so special," Walsh said Jennings, who has two children from Beijing. "You have the Horse Guards there and the changing of the guard, and you get to see this and all the historical culture. Really, really great. I've been imagining this for so long, and seeing him in person and make them come alive is impressive. "
It does not hurt that the star 6-foot-2 can walk to a colored statue of 25 feet of herself in a blue bikini showing off her ripped abdominal muscles. Many of the volunteers leave to take a closer look, and fans are sure to do the same.
And to think that this open area gathered at an amazing 35 days, from June 18 at the conclusion of the annual Trooping the Queen's birthday parade of color.
The architect Peter Richardson, and the main project manager Duncan Firth spent Friday carrying out final checks and preparation for any possible last twist.
"For a space of this magnitude, built in this time scale, which has never done before," said Firth. "The Americans have said that this is the equivalent of having beach volleyball on the lawn of the White House. This will never happen again."
Get inside will not be easy, either.
The players knew they would be competing in the showcase home of the Summer Games. And now they have finally met in person, almost every one of them is in the fear of facing the opening matches on Saturday to play pool.
"It's really perfect, it is the only word I can say," said Swiss coach Stefan explored Kobal Friday when a rival of Russia in one of six training tracks side by side hidden among trees and greenery.
During training, a squirrel carrying a nut in his mouth ran down the beach in a field.
A leafy park, spectacular scenic surrounds horse Guards Parade, and to date only the Queen herself can travel through a nearby door. It is not great enough for you? It is also just outside Westminster Abbey.
The defense of the U.S. gold medalist Todd Rogers is quick to recognize the beach volleyball players is better than most.
"Other athletes probably upset because their sport has been around 100 years and we are the spoiled children. From my point of view is great," said Rogers. "I think beach volleyball is so lucky. In all Olympic Games, everyone has raved about the venue, from Sydney. We have a historic site."
Beach volleyball in the heart of central London will focus on Olympic competition Saturday, along with swimming medals first. U.S. rival Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps will compete in the 400-meter individual medley.
The two-time gold medalist U.S. defense pair of Jennings and Kerri Walsh Misty May-Treanor will be the match function in the gallery of beach volleyball.
"It's amazing. Only this area itself is so special," Walsh said Jennings, who has two children from Beijing. "You have the Horse Guards there and the changing of the guard, and you get to see this and all the historical culture. Really, really great. I've been imagining this for so long, and seeing him in person and make them come alive is impressive. "
It does not hurt that the star 6-foot-2 can walk to a colored statue of 25 feet of herself in a blue bikini showing off her ripped abdominal muscles. Many of the volunteers leave to take a closer look, and fans are sure to do the same.
And to think that this open area gathered at an amazing 35 days, from June 18 at the conclusion of the annual Trooping the Queen's birthday parade of color.
The architect Peter Richardson, and the main project manager Duncan Firth spent Friday carrying out final checks and preparation for any possible last twist.
"For a space of this magnitude, built in this time scale, which has never done before," said Firth. "The Americans have said that this is the equivalent of having beach volleyball on the lawn of the White House. This will never happen again."
And it will be demolished after the games.
"It's here for 12 days and then collapses. It is very disappointing," said Richardson. "The original concept was to maintain London as a backdrop."
He did it very well - what else may want a fan, without the queen waving from the balcony of the Horse Guards, "of course?
The public address announcer had fun with the final blank under gray skies and light rain Friday, repeatedly calling a British victory in the ever changing music echoed through an empty 15,000-seat arena - bigger by far, without But for beach volleyball.
Jennings Walsh and May-Treanor will open Olympic pool game against the Australians Tamsin Hinchley and Natalie Cook, who is competing in her fifth Olympics and last.
"We are very fortunate," said Hinchley, a member of Australia's Olympic team three times, who married and had two 1/2-year-old son, Arley, after Beijing. "We've heard it's the best place. The background, from the London Eye and all the buildings, you know you're in London."
Hinchley gave her two tickets allocated for the first game on Saturday to their families who fight over who has to be in the seats to see it.
Rogers plans to buy two extra tickets when you play so you can take charge of their supporters. Those who get into any part of the tournament are a delight.
"It's beautiful," said Dutch coach Michiel van der Kuip. "I've never seen anything like this before."
"It's here for 12 days and then collapses. It is very disappointing," said Richardson. "The original concept was to maintain London as a backdrop."
He did it very well - what else may want a fan, without the queen waving from the balcony of the Horse Guards, "of course?
The public address announcer had fun with the final blank under gray skies and light rain Friday, repeatedly calling a British victory in the ever changing music echoed through an empty 15,000-seat arena - bigger by far, without But for beach volleyball.
Jennings Walsh and May-Treanor will open Olympic pool game against the Australians Tamsin Hinchley and Natalie Cook, who is competing in her fifth Olympics and last.
"We are very fortunate," said Hinchley, a member of Australia's Olympic team three times, who married and had two 1/2-year-old son, Arley, after Beijing. "We've heard it's the best place. The background, from the London Eye and all the buildings, you know you're in London."
Hinchley gave her two tickets allocated for the first game on Saturday to their families who fight over who has to be in the seats to see it.
Rogers plans to buy two extra tickets when you play so you can take charge of their supporters. Those who get into any part of the tournament are a delight.
"It's beautiful," said Dutch coach Michiel van der Kuip. "I've never seen anything like this before."
