Rosina: When Kara and I went to Chaoyang Park for beach volleyball, it really set in just how much venues operate differently from each other. Security for this venue, just like basketball and baseball, was much tighter than others, even those located on the Green. Not only were our bags X-rayed but they were also hand-searched, and we had to try on lotions and sprays in order to take them inside with us. Matina had a similar experience last week.

Matina: We are at basketball right now, or least trying to get there. Security is out of control! They were not watching security screens and instead going through everyone’s bag and making people try on Chap Stick, deodorant, lotion — EVERYTHING!!!

Tiffany: We’ve been noticing that every time we go through security to get into the Olympic Green, it has been a different experience. I am not sure if it’s because we have entered different gates. This time, after walking through the metal detector and putting our stuff through the X-ray, some of my classmates were asked to open their bags.

Gina had a granola bar in her bag and she was told to eat it on the spot. I had a ton of granola bars but was not asked to open my bag. So Gina ate a few bites, then walked out of the security area. Apparently security did not check to see if she finished the bar.

On the other hand, Molly was carrying mascara and was asked to use it! It was a funny sight. If I remember correctly, there were female security and volunteers, so you would think they know what mascara looks like.

Rosina: When we were leaving beach volleyball, we found volunteers marching toward the exit, which was definitely strange compared to all our other interactions with volunteers who were typically college students.

– Rosina Romano, Matina Golias, Tiffany.