It's Started

The media turned up at the field today, there were crews from both BBC and ITV. I got nabbed by both but despite everything it was quite enjoyable. Anyone who knows me will know i hate this sort of thing but we were warned to expect it and just deal with it.
Apparently they will be aired sometime this week on ITV West Country and the BBC in the South West, worth watching for a laugh if nothing else.


Todays shooting went well, i am averaging around 109-110 per dozen which is exactly where i want to be at this point in time. It was the last session in Macau as tomorrow morning we fly up to Beijing. That is where i get the feeling it's all going to become very real, i'm really excited and can't wait to get there now.

First day of shooting

As per my training plan I didn't shoot yesterday to give my body time to get over the journey out here. I felt great this morning and was ready for shooting.

Practice went well but the heat and humidity is verging on the unbearable. I drank 3 litres of Sports drink in just over 2 hours. The shooting went great and I started off with a 110 for the first dozen. My first arrow shot in China this year went straight in the X, what a great start!! Confidence is certainly there.

Here are some more photos, including some of the archery venue in Macau where we practiced today.

Arrived safely

After around 30 hours total travelling time, we arrived at our holding camp in Macau at around 6:30pm last night. The hotel is really nice and the weather this morning is very warm and sunny.

The Official T-Shirt

As Promised

Amost there

This morning was my last full training session before I jet off to Macau. I shot well and everything felt good. Both Fiberbows are set up perfectly and I have total confidence in both of them, so much so that for the first time since I've owned them I don't actually have a favourite!! Got to be a good thing.

Tomorrow the packing starts (sigh), that's the part I hate the most as it's always accompanied by that niggling feeling that I've forgotten something.

Anyhoo, As per usual I will be updating my Blog daily (or as much as possible), there will be photos galore and anything else I feel will be of interest. As I am now part of TeamGB, I'll be trying to keep up to date with all the other sports and letting you know of the successes they have also. I know Great Britain ranked 2nd in the medal table in Athens so let's hope we can repeat that. On top of all that I am also hoping to get to spectate at some of the other sports, Wheelchair Rugby (AKA Murderball) and the Fencing are two I would dearly love to see.

After following the Olympics on television for the last fortnight there are two things I am totally certain about, 1) This is going to be one of the most (if not THE most) proudest and amazing experiences of my life and 2) It's going to be one heck of an emotional two weeks. Oh there is one other thing I'm sure of, I will go out there and give it 110%. If I fail it will not be through lack of trying and If I succeed? well it'll mean that the highs and lows, the pain, the travelling, the sheer exhaustion and the support of all those close to me over the last few years hasn't been in vain.

A HUGE thank you to the people that sent me "Good Luck" cards, letters and messages, I am really touched that you care enough to do that and I shall try to make you proud. I will also try and get a photo uploaded of the Official supporters T-Shirts that Lou asked me to design. They arrived today and look fantastic if I may say so myself :)

Shooting Times Confirmed

Here is the shooting schedule for the Men's Standing Recurve Category (the one I shoot in)

Ranking Round,
Tuesday, 9th Sept. 2:00pm. - 4:30pm.

1/16th Eliminations,
Weds, 10th Sept. Between 10:30am. - 11:00am.

1/8th Eliminations,
Thurs, 11th Sept. Between 10:00am. - 10:30am.

Quarter Finals,
Friday, 12th Sept. Between 10:30am. - 11:00am.

Semi - Finals,
Sunday 14th Sept. 10:15 am. OR 10:30am.

Bronze Medal Match,
Sunday 14th Sept. 2:00pm.

Gold Medal Match,
Sunday 14th Sept. 2:15pm.

Medal Ceremony,
Sunday 14th Sept. 3:30pm.

And Again

Paralympics 6-17 September
Live coverage on BBCi
10.00am-4.00pm
There will be continuous live/as live coverage of the Games on BBCi throughout the day.

Paralympics 2008
7.00-8.00pm (Monday-Friday)
BBC Two/BBC HD
Clare Balding and Steve Cram present the best of the day's action at the Paralympics in Beijing. Viewers will get a round-up of all the news and action as we follow Team GB's Paralympians on their quest for glory.

Paralympics 2008
12.50-4.30pm (Saturday & Sunday)
(please note times may vary)
BBC One/BBC Two/BBC HD
Clare Balding and Steve Cram present live coverage from the Paralympics in Beijing.