Let's say you were a gold-medal winning athlete packing for China and the Winter Olympics ... look I ain't one either, but let's just pretend for a second. What would be the most important things you'd want to bring from home?<\/p>\n
I asked my buddy, Matthew Hamilton, who is probably the most famous curler in America today.<\/p>\n
At the XXIII Winter Olympic Games aka PyeongChang 2018, Hamilton was half of the team who earned the United States its very first gold medal in curling.<\/p>\n
After he qualified for the XXIV Olympic Games in Beijing, China, I texted my golfing buddy and fellow sneakerhead asking: \"Hey man, what are the most important things you're taking with you this trip? Because China ain't got Wal-Mart or Target if you forget something!\"<\/p>\n
The following is what he sent me in reply.<\/p>\n
Fly footwear<\/p>\n
\"Some wild and crazy curling shoes! My guys at Project Blitz really hooked it up. They are the Nike SB Dunk Low 'What the P-Rod.' They are the perfect shoe for a guy like me!\" -- MH<\/p>\n
Matt is a wild sneakerhead. Last Olympics he wore the Nike PG3 Nasa Blue Apollo 15 Mission editions specially modified for curling.<\/p>\n
It only took Hamilton's \"guy\" one day to modify this iteration for curling.<\/p>\n
Hometown coffee<\/p>\n
Hamilton is taking specialty coffee to China. The coffee pictured is from a local, gourmet coffee house in Duluth, Minnesota, where the skip of Hamilton's curling team, John Schuster, lives.<\/p>\n
\"Coffee is a must for me. I gotta have my coffee and travel coffee maker! I love coffee, plus it's a reminder of home.\" -- MH<\/p>\n
'Stache care is a must<\/p>\n
The epic, push broom mustache has become Hamilton's trademark look. At the 2018 Games, he drew comparisons to a mustachioed plumber by the name of Mario. So the 'stache has to look right.<\/p>\n
\"Some gear to keep my mustache fresh and a shirt to promote the charity I'm working with! Stachestrong ... 100% of donations go to grants and research funds.\" -- MH<\/p>\n
Bringing the flat brims<\/p>\n
\"My hats that I'll be competing in! I like a clean straight brim and these are as clean as they get.\" -- MH<\/p>\n
Hot sauce in his bag<\/p>\n
\"HOT SAUCE!!!! I really love a little heat in my food and this is something I wish I had packed last Olympics.\" <\/p>\n
Follow up question (as a hot sauce lover), give me a go-to food for each sauce while you're in China?<\/p>\n
\"Well the Sriracha goes on any Asian dish. The Frank's goes on any classic American food. Burger, mac-n-cheese, etc.\" -- MH<\/p>\n
Headphones <\/p>\n
\"My headphones! I need my music. It helps me get into the zone before a game. And it's something to do while I kick it between games.\" -- MH<\/p>\n
Time keeper<\/p>\n
\"My Oak & Oscar watch. Multiple straps so I can switch up the look and keep it fresh.\" -- MH<\/p>\n
Fresh fits <\/p>\n
\"My uniforms! Columbia really went all out this year making sure we look super fly on the ice.\" -- MH<\/p>\n
There's magic in that hat<\/p>\n
\"My lucky hat! In the words of Michael Scott, 'I'm not superstitious, but I'm a little 'stitious.' This goes to every event I play and goes in the back pocket.\" -- MH<\/p>\n
Mystery care packages<\/p>\n
Home is a long way from Beijing. So, take a little home with you.<\/p>\n
\"Care package from my wife!!! She makes sure I have something to look forward to each day. I'm a very lucky guy.\" <\/p>\n
I had to ask, the care packages from the wifey...are they a surprise or do you know what she put in them?<\/p>\n
\"Not a clue.\" -- MH<\/p>\n
Bonus extra credit question<\/p>\n
Is there anything you're taking to China you wish you didn't have to?<\/p>\n
(There was about a 10 minute lull before I got this reply).<\/p>\n
\"Yeah. A 'burner' phone. We were warned about malware and getting hacked, so my personal phone won't be used while I'm there.\"<\/p>\n
\"That makes sense and sucks at the same time. Better safe than hacked,\" I texted back.<\/p>\n
\"For sure.\" -- MH<\/p>\n
And that was his last text to me before beginning the journey to try and win another gold medal.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Visit link:<\/p>\n
2022 Winter Olympics -- What does an Olympian pack? We asked curler Matthew Hamilton ahead of Beijing - ESPN<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Let's say you were a gold-medal winning athlete packing for China and the Winter Olympics ... look I ain't one either, but let's just pretend for a second. What would be the most important things you'd want to bring from home? Continue reading