Kids Running - Olympics

Childhood should be full of dreams, the bigger, the better. Karlie is always dreaming of going to the Olympics - the Junior Olympics that is. But her dreams don't stop there. Like many young athletes, her real lure is the "big" Olympics.
- Carol Goodrow

IF YOU WERE GOING TO BEIJING by Carol Goodrow
Art Courtesy of Breakaway Books
Kids Running: Have Fun, Get Faster & Go Farther by Carol Goodrow

Soon our athletes will be competing in the summer Olympics in Beijing, China, half-way around the world. They've worked hard over the years training, competing, and staying healthy and fit. So it should be easy for them to just pack their bags and go! But - wait- there's a lot that they must know about the country they are visiting before they travel.

What if you were visiting China for the Olympic games? What would you have to do or know?

1. OUCH
First, you'd need to go to the doctor for shots. We call them immunizations. You would need them for rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and hepatitis A and B.

2. HYDRATION
Only bottled water is safe to drink in China. No drinking of water that comes out of a faucet. If you use tap water to brush your teeth, be careful not to swallow the water. Spit it out quickly.

3. NO FINE FEATHERED FRIENDS
China has bird flu called Avian Flu H5N1 in some areas. Visitors should not touch birds. Be careful at outdoor markets crowded with cats, birds, animals and people. Don't pet that cute kitten rubbing up against your leg.

4. HOT CHOP SUEY
We all love Chinese food in the U.S.A., but in China the Olympians will have to be careful with it. Watch it being cooked to make sure it's cooked well - nice and hot.

5. DOG FOOD HAS A DIFFERENT MEANING
Chinese people eat dog meat, but they have been told not to feed it to the Olympians and that's a good thing don't you think? But restaurants may be serving cat entrees. Beware!

6. BE ALERT
Street dogs (feral dogs) may have rabies. Stay away. Carry a stick. Be a dog lover when you come home.

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On the positive side, there's little street crime in Beijing, so it's safe to walk around at night. There's a lot of beautiful art and advanced technology. And if you do get sick, there is wonderful health care. If you do happen to be in Beijing during the Olympics, you'll see athletics like you've never seen before!

LINKS
List of USA athletes going to Beijing
Kids Running Bookmarks featuring quotes from 2 of our summer Olympians.

Reference: July 25, 2008, Richard Lee, M.D., Newswise Medical News, "Health Tips for Olympics Travelers"

rwedit@rodale.com