Aug. 13, 2008

BEIJING -

Jigar Mehta, a University of California alumnus, is in Beijing capturing a behind-the-scenes look at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In today's video feature, he caught up with two members of the Cal track & field team - discus thrower Martin Maric, who is reprenting Croatia, and shot putter Amin Nikfar, who is competing for Iran.

Interview with Martin Maric '09 and Amin Nikfar '04
Since most of the Cal Bears are in the middle of competing, from swimming to softball, they don't have the time (yet!) to talk to me. They are on the train-eat-sleep, repeat then compete routine.

However, I had a bit of good luck, meeting two Cal Olympians, Martin Maric ('09) and Amin Nikfar ('04), outside the Olympic Village, their home in Beijing. It turns out that they were happy to talk to me, as it was another way to kill time between eating, weights and Xbox!

Martin is competing for his native Croatia in the discus and will be returning to Cal after the end of the games for his final year at Cal. When I contacted him to set up a meeting, he asked if Amin could join us. I replied, "two for one - absolutely!" Just over a month ago, Amin qualified for the Olympics and is representing Iran in the shot put.

I knew it was going to be a fun interview when both Amin and I gave Martin a hard time about his red colored uniform.

- Jigar Mehta