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| The Olympic Velodrome ready for action |
It was finally here. The last step: venue specific training.
It didn’t start well. Having arrived in Stratford an hour before the 10:00 start time, I decided to grab a coffee. Having worked at two test events over the past year, and been prompt on both occasions only to be left waiting around, I thought I would turn up bang on 10:00. This was the wrong time to take that approach.
First there was the rain. Lots of it. And then there was the queue to get through security. A long one. Luckily I was advised that as I was there for training I could be fast-tracked through – an action which saved me lots of time and my hair from going wet and flat.
Once through security (mostly manned by armed forces BTW) there was then the trudge across to the Basketball Arena. For those unfamiliar with the Olympic Park, this venue and the Velopark are the furthest from the entrance. It took 20 minutes and I walk fast.
I was late. I hate being late. And thanks to the long walk I was also hot and wet at the same time. Not a nice combination. Finally taking my seat in the arena, I was greeted with the sight of fellow Games Makers having a go on the basketball court. Apparently the early birds were ‘breaking in’ the balls that will be used during the Games. Oh how I wish I had got there early this time.
Finally, it started. As rain crashed down on the roof of the temporary venue, creating an audible din at it did, Jonathan Edwards came out to host proceedings. What a great guy he is. Lots of inspiring anecdotes and such a professional when interviewing LOGOC staff.
After the usual talk about the sports and venues, we were grouped off into our work areas for a tour of the venues. Having worked at the Track Cycling, BMX and, fleetingly, the Basketball test events, I had actually seen the venues before, but it was still good to see them in all their Olympic glory.
The Basketball Arena has a distinctive pink hue, while the Velodrome has a startling orange. The Dutch riders and supporters will feel very at home in there, I feel.
After the tour we broke off into our role specific areas. I am a Flash Quote Reporter for the Olympic News Service so will conduct interviews and get quotes from athletes after they compete. I will then have 15 minutes to file the quotes onto the Info+ system used by the world’s media. I will do this in an area called the mixed zone where athletes and journalists can, er, mix. It should be great.
After a quick tour around other functional areas in Press Operations, we were on our way. The next time I step foot in the Velodrome will be on my first shift on 30 July.
I can’t wait.
It didn’t start well. Having arrived in Stratford an hour before the 10:00 start time, I decided to grab a coffee. Having worked at two test events over the past year, and been prompt on both occasions only to be left waiting around, I thought I would turn up bang on 10:00. This was the wrong time to take that approach.
First there was the rain. Lots of it. And then there was the queue to get through security. A long one. Luckily I was advised that as I was there for training I could be fast-tracked through – an action which saved me lots of time and my hair from going wet and flat.
Once through security (mostly manned by armed forces BTW) there was then the trudge across to the Basketball Arena. For those unfamiliar with the Olympic Park, this venue and the Velopark are the furthest from the entrance. It took 20 minutes and I walk fast.
I was late. I hate being late. And thanks to the long walk I was also hot and wet at the same time. Not a nice combination. Finally taking my seat in the arena, I was greeted with the sight of fellow Games Makers having a go on the basketball court. Apparently the early birds were ‘breaking in’ the balls that will be used during the Games. Oh how I wish I had got there early this time.
Finally, it started. As rain crashed down on the roof of the temporary venue, creating an audible din at it did, Jonathan Edwards came out to host proceedings. What a great guy he is. Lots of inspiring anecdotes and such a professional when interviewing LOGOC staff.
After the usual talk about the sports and venues, we were grouped off into our work areas for a tour of the venues. Having worked at the Track Cycling, BMX and, fleetingly, the Basketball test events, I had actually seen the venues before, but it was still good to see them in all their Olympic glory.
The Basketball Arena has a distinctive pink hue, while the Velodrome has a startling orange. The Dutch riders and supporters will feel very at home in there, I feel.
After the tour we broke off into our role specific areas. I am a Flash Quote Reporter for the Olympic News Service so will conduct interviews and get quotes from athletes after they compete. I will then have 15 minutes to file the quotes onto the Info+ system used by the world’s media. I will do this in an area called the mixed zone where athletes and journalists can, er, mix. It should be great.
After a quick tour around other functional areas in Press Operations, we were on our way. The next time I step foot in the Velodrome will be on my first shift on 30 July.
I can’t wait.
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