Another summer at the games

All systems are a go for Dwight Stones on foreign soil.

He’s arrived in Beijing with microphone in hand to serve as an analyst for NBC during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Part of the job might entail him to ask an athlete or an official a tough question with millions from across the United States watching.

Stones, a 1971 Glendale High graduate and a two-time Olympic bronze medalist in the high jump, certainly isn’t camera shy. He’s not afraid to document — with pinpoint description and observations — each of the events that unfold beginning Aug. 15.

Whatever the case, Stones has dutifully done his homework in preparation for anything that might happen on the track or infield. A world record might be shattered, or perhaps an athlete favored to win a certain event might fall short.

Stones is experienced enough to handle any assignments that come his way, having been a commentator for eight prior Olympics. The United States Track and Field Hall of Fame member will come into the job with his eyes wide open.

“We have to remember that we are [here] to do a job, and we’ve got a lot of people who will be on the set with a lot of credibility,” said Stones, who won medals at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympic Games. “We will be at the U.S. training camps for two and a half days and will ask to speak to the athletes so that we can get all of the last-minute and up-to-date information on the athletes.

“We are handed a baton since the track and field events are scheduled to take place during the second half of the Olympics, and we know that we are talking to a main-stream general audience.”

Considered by most to be among America’s greatest high jumpers ever, Stones, who graced the cover of Sports Illustrated twice, has continued to build a track and field resumé for the history books.

The 54-year-old Stones, who now resides in Orange County and is a jumps coach at Beckman and Trabuco Hills high, is the first athlete to both compete and announce at the same Olympics (1984 in Los Angeles).

That helped pave the way for Stones to pursue another career following his days competing. He’s been with NBC sports since, working most of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

“With Dwight, he knows everything about track and field,” said Sam Flood, coordinating producer for NBC Sports since 1988. “He’s got that encyclopedia knowledge of the sport.

“He knows the athletes. He’s very comfortable teaching and explaining what’s happening.”

Stones spent part of July at the United States Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., watching various athletes try to qualify for the Olympics. That signaled a time when Stones could summarize what happened and start making mental notes to prepare for Beijing.

“The USA team is the hardest to make in any of the Olympic sports,” Stones said. “At the Track and Field Championships, you can see that.”

Stones hasn’t forgotten his days starring at Glendale High during a time when track and field might have been at its height in popularity in the area with Glendale, Hoover and Crescenta Valley normally having respectable squads. Though he moved from the area around 1974, he can still vividly recall his time learning from legendary Glendale Coach John Barnes.

Barnes, who competed in the 800-meter event at the 1952 Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland, died in 2004. He coached at Glendale from 1967 to 1992, teaching future stars like Stones, Lee Balkin, Richard Erbes, Bobby Thomas and Craig Harzmann the ins and outs of the sport.

“When I came to Glendale, I was a physically immature kid,” said Stones, who attended Long Beach State. “He went out of his way to help me realize and reach my dreams.

“He gave me a tremendous insight and gave me a great appreciation for the sport. He fixed my compass toward sports and life.”

For Stones, part of the job entails some traveling around parts of China, a place he’s never visited. There will be some time allotted for him to venture to many of the country’s historic landmarks.

“It will be interesting and exciting,” said Stones, a 10-time world record holder. “You hear about a lot of the different things, but we have to remember that we are there first to do a job.”

It’s a job he’s ready to grasp once again.

 CHARLES RICH covers sports. He can be reached at (818) 637-3228 or charles.rich@latimes.com.