Ni Hao--it's just about time to roll here in Beijing!

BEIJING, China—Our coverage of the IAAF World Track & Field Championships is now fully underway here at the Bird’s Nest Stadium, site of the 2008 Olympics.

As is the case at the world championships, I did a walkthrough of the stadium to familiarize myself with the surroundings, including the media mixed zone, the photo areas, and our work station, which is just off the finish line.

I was goofing off on the track—here I am pretending to do a sprinter’s pre-block routine (photo by Jeff Cohen).

On Saturday morning, Cas Loxsom of the Seattle based Brooks Beasts will get things underway for the Washington affiliated athletes, as he has his first round of competition in the men’s 800.  He will run here in Beijing without teammate and reigning national champ Nick Symmonds, who did not sign the contract with USA Track & Field because of a clause requiring him to wear Team USA/Nike products during all official team functions, which he felt violated his contract with Brooks.

Saturday night, former world champ Brad Walker makes his fourth appearance at the world championships when he goes in the pole vault qualifying round.

There are only four athletes with Washington ties competing at the meet (former Bellingham resident Donn Cabral is no longer counted)—besides Loxsom and Walker, Kara Winger and Jeremy Taiwo will compete during the course of this meet.

We have prepared a Scrib document with brief information on the four athletes with Washington ties competing here in Beijing.

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