‘BoniBlog – All about blue jeans and a patient wife

HOW I MET JACQUES ROGGE: Ever since arriving in Vancouver on February 9 I’ve resisted wearing blue jeans. I’m working at the AIPS Office and representing Sports Media Canada so, aside from my travel days, I vowed not to wear blue jeans. I even took a suit to the Olympics for the first time in 10 Games’ coverage assignments! Hey, we’ve got an image to keep, right?
But yesterday, well, I gave in … with tickets to the Belarus-Germany hockey game I figured I might as well be a fan after my work day was over. It was blue jeans and a casual navy blue top.

John Iaboni between Ros Morris of AIPS and IOC chief Jacques Rogge

So what happened? AIPS president Gianni Merlo informed me that IOC president Jacques Rogge was going to drop by our office. As I’ve learned from Merlo, his information is bang on and, sure enough, in mid-afternoon, Dr. Rogge stopped by our office. Merlo and Roslyn Morris were sharply dressed as ever and I felt rather under-dressed as I shook hands with Dr. Rogge.
Taller than I expected and sharply dressed as ever, his presence felt much like royalty and he is a powerful guy as head of the IOC which makes him recognizable around the world. I’ll forever remember the occasion, including the fact I was in blue jeans at the time.

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WELL WORTH THE LONG WAIT: If it’s one thing I’ve learned in almost 33 years of marriage, my wife, Ada, has a great deal of patience. When you’re in the sports field, if your partner doesn’t have tolerance, you can kiss the union goodbye.
But even I was astounded when she told me she waited three hours outside and one hour inside to eventually see and actually touch the 2010 Olympic medals at the Royal Canadian Mint Pavilion.
“It was a lot of fun,” she told me as I tried to figure out why anyone would persevere so long. “People were laughing, joking, making friends. After a while, people who never knew each other were taking group pictures of each other. There were people of all ages, lots of families. And the medals were fantastic.”
At 500 to 576 grams each, the medals are among the heaviest in Games history and no two medals are alike. So, no question, they are very unique.
Lineups virtually everywhere are the norm now here but fortunately there appears to be more people like my wife out on the streets. It seems like they, too, realize patience will go much further to make this Olympic experience a great one.
“When are the Olympics going to come along again in Canada?” she reasons. Listening to her enthusiastic telling of stories after she’s spent hours roaming with the massive crowds has convinced me she’s having a great time. Bless her burning Olympic spirit – and unlimited patience. I guess I’m the one who benefits most from the latter!