When in another country, it's easy to get homesick…especially if you can't see your family while competing in the Olympics. The Hometown Hopefuls Center provides a place where US athletes and their families can hang out.
Ogonna Nnamani of the volleyball team tries to come as much as she can. "My family is the reason why I was able to make it to this point, so you know I'm used to talking to them on a daily basis, so to have the chance to see them here like as much as I can really helps."
Her family comes to the center whether she's here or not. Sister: "We're here all the time. I think that we've been here every single day since our arrival August 6th. We come here without her, we've watched her on the video monitor a couple of times, we love it here."
The center gives athletes and their families a place to come and relax. In the middle of Beijing, they have a home away from home, and can enjoy a taste of the red, white and blue.
Sister: "I can't explain how great it is to have like a Pop Tart or a Nutra-Grain Bar, you know just little things like that, it really means a lot" The center provides more than just American food. It also has a wireless internet lounge, hosts rallies before big games, and there's even someone who gives free massages.
Ogonna says the center gives her a reason to play well. "If we win and we're doing well, our coach is more lenient, so if we keep winning, we keep seeing our families, so it's a good recipe for success" The team members hope the family support they can get at the center will bring them a success they can take home.
(China.org.cn August 22, 2008)
