Rhian Wilkinson's Official Website

RHIAN'S SOCCER JOURNALS:

HERE WE DIDN'T GO 30th July 2008

I think I ended yesterday’s journal with something that sounded like,"Here We Go... now the journey begins." Unfortunately, this is not quite what happened.

As I sit here writing this Journal, I am watching the Singapore Airlines flight leave for China with the team. Obviously, I am not on it. Apparently there was an issue with my visa not matching my Olympic accreditation. Murphy's Law strikes again, and it is obviously impossible to plan for every eventuality. All of this was only discovered at the gate as I was boarding. So, my Olympic journey begins with a little bit of a whimper...

I am now waiting patiently (or as patiently as I can manage), for a little man working for Singapore Airlines to figure out whether or not I will make it on the afternoon flight. As he has just asked if I could arrange to have my old passport shipped to him in Singapore, I may be a little delayed. He tells me that the Singapore authorities are getting in touch with Beijing, so I could be here for a time!!

I was left here under protest, and only after my teammates and the coaching staff staged a sit in of sorts at the airport. They refused to get onto the plane until I was allowed on. Brit even busted out the guitar and composed her very first protest song. it consisted of one cord, but it was the words that were most inspiring and moving, “Oh no we won’t go without Rhian,” or something along these lines. The team was pretty funny actually. They were chanting "hell no we won't go" ... as they boarded the flight

Eventually though, even the steeliest of resolves was broken and they were persuaded to board and takeoff. I was everyone’s last minute beggar case and money from all corners was jettisoned off into my direction. I think I might end up making a tidy profit in all this! I was also left with a cell phone, a book, a computer and I am in one of the most advanced and interesting airports I have ever been to - Changi is not such a bad deal after all, as a long as the affair is temporary. Unfortunately the cell phone I was left only takes incoming calls!

All is now in order and Rhian is on her way to the Athletes' Village as of 0900 ET.