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| The mixed zone on day two. It got a lot busier than this |
Yesterday was another breathless day in the velodrome.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was the only Games Masker
on shift taking quotes. What a night the other three missed. At the daily
briefing it was agreed that because we were low on numbers we would take a
medallist each (six reporters = six medallists). It was agreed that I would get
the gold medallist in the Women’s Keirin.
Even though Victoria Pendleton and Anna Mears were the favourites,
I knew this could also mean interviewing a Lithuanian or Chinese athlete. I was
worried. Even though we have access to interpreters,
it can be difficult to use them effectively in the mixed zone.
The briefing also caused much discussions about the running
of the Keirin event. Did one, two or three riders go through from the
repechages? I was confused that the semi finals were called second rounds. All
very confusing.
And then we were off – back to the mixed zone. Today I was
stationed in the press pen to watch the start of the action. Like yesterday,
this led to some hilarity.
Although we have the Games Maker uniform on, we have Olympic
News Service (ONS) bibs on to distinguish ourselves and to stop us getting
interrupted by hacks. It doesn’t work. Must be the trousers and shoes that give
us away.
Firstly, I had an American hack asking where he should stand
to get the athletes. Although I was tempted to say ‘mate, none of us know’ I
explained how it had gone yesterday and told him to speak to a mixed zone
member.
For some reason he was like a boomerang: every time I
thought I’d sorted him he kept coming back. In the end I had to walk him to his
spot as then introduce him to the American press attaché. Sorted. I also then
had the unenviable task of telling a Chinese journalist what a repechage was…
And then the action. As expected the Men’s Team Pursuit was won by GB – this created issues for us as their medal ceremony was straight
before the Keirin finals, so we had a busy mixed zone.
Then it was my moment: the Women’s Kierin final. I made one
final check of my Dictaphone, made sure my pen worked and waited. What a final.
Victoria Pendleton won by holding off the Chinese athlete down the straight.
The crowd erupted and, for the first time, my mask of
impartiality slipped. I cheered. Loudly. Anyone who saw the documentary on her
before the Games would fail not to be. I was delighted – and an English
speaking winner to boot!
I decamped to the agency pen – by far the best place to get
good quotes without a media scrum. Whilst we waited for Pendleton, Anna Mears
came through so we got quotes from her. She was gutted, but had a steely glint
in her eye for the Women’s Sprint. Keep an eye on her next Tuesday.
And then new got Vicky. She’s so lovely – she was so happy
and shared a lovely story of cuddling her 10-month-old nephew for the first
time the day before and how that had inspired her. She also said it was the
greatest moment of her career. I still can’t believe I was in that position on
what was the highlight of her career. This Games Maker lark is incredible.
I now have today off but the action doesn’t stop: I’m off to
the athletics and will hopefully see Jess Ennis win gold. We will also see Mo
Farah in the 10,000m too.
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