Sports Marketing student and the fabl member shares her Games Maker experience with us.
Well that’s it, back in the office after two of the most amazing weeks I’ve ever had.
London 2012 will go down in history for so many different reasons – most Team GB gold medals ever, first city to hold the games three times , Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah, the cyclists, the rowers, the equestrians……
Above all though, it was the first Games I have been a part of, and I hope more than anything it’s not my last. For the past two weeks London 2012, and more specifically Greenwich Park, has been part of me.
Two years ago, when I first applied to be a volunteer at the Games, I really had no idea what to expect, or whether I’d even be chosen. It really began in January when I was offered a Team Leader role at Greenwich Park. Training sessions followed soon after and I started getting excited – I met some amazing people too – all of us sharing the same experience.
The 27th July came around all too quickly and I found myself sat at home watching the opening ceremony thinking that in a few hours (I had to get up at 3am!!) I would be starting my first shift as a Games Maker.
If I’d expected the first day to be a nice easy day to settle in to, I was sadly mistaken. We were straight in at the deep end dealing with the inevitable teething problems – including broken toilets and a lack of food. We discovered that a happy, excitable crowd soon turns nasty when they can’t get a mid-afternoon snack. But the ever-smiling faces of the Games Makers didn’t falter – it was a truly inspiring sight to see.
Inspiring really is the word of my Games. Every single day I was inspired by the people I met – spectators, as well as my fellow Games Makers. Seeing the spectator’s faces as they walked through the gates and were welcomed by the stunning surroundings of Greenwich Park is something I’ll never forget. People that had waited over a year for one day of Olympic atmosphere were not let down as the park buzzed constantly. The atmosphere was of course lifted by the record-breaking show that Team GB put on – 3 golds, a silver and a bronze in equestrian! To be in an arena with 20,000 people on their feet singing the national anthem is something I never thought would faze me, but it brought me and my friends to tears – 3 times!
It’s hard to sum up my experience, but I’ll give it a go. I have made friends over the last two weeks that I will never forget, I’ve seen 5 GB medals awarded, I’ve pushed myself and learnt more about myself, I’ve cried, I’ve laughed and more importantly, I’ve been part of a team that helped make London 2012 the best games ever!!
London 2012, thank you.