Wrestling Blogs - Martin Floreani

Its been about a week since my last blog and I feel like im on another planet. I just arrived this morning to Baku Azerbaijan. It has all the feelings of a foreign place. The food just tastes just a lil different and the people act different to.

It is nothing too spectacular here. I was expecting women to be all bundled up in their muslim clothes and for spys to be following me around (that is my ego talkin). It is not really like that...or is it:). I watched Bourne Ultimatium on the plane and at my hotel room I imagined how I would jump off the balcony onto a moving car. I guessed it would be painful from 5 floors up but still doable. Im ready if need be.

I cant wait to watch and meet the foreigners. I want to especially talk to the russians and iranians. Really the Iranians more than anybody.

The mens freestyle team is gearing up and rearing to go. All the hard work is done and now they just have to perform. Im hoping the officiating is on the straight and narrow but Im told that in foreign competition you should expect some different political calls.

I went with the team to practice this morning and they seem to be in the right frame of mind. I saw Cormier give a high five to Zadick which tells me that if an Okie State and Iowa boy can gel than the whole team can gel. Kevin Jackson is totally impartial and outspoken and is working on every little detail to prepare these guys. He is as much setting the environment as much as actual coaching.

It should be interesting....