Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Getting prepared..
Three days until the technical rehearsal of the opening ceremony and only six days until my first day of volunteering. I thought it was probably about time to wash my uniform today and start getting myself prepared..
My uniform is clean, my "man-bag" is packed and I think I have my transporation sorted out now - even for the days with the ridiculously early starts. My very worst day is a week from today, when I need to get to Greenwich Park for 6:00 AM on a Sunday morning. The only way I've found to accomplish this is to drive all the way from Aylesbury to Dartford, park at the station, and catch the first train to Maze Hill. If anyone reading this has a better suggestion, and which doesn't involve sleeping in a tent overnight in a London park, please let me know!
It seems like summer has arrived just in the nick of time and, judging by the current forecast, at least Friday's opening ceremony should be dry..
I saw this McDonald's commercial on television yesterday and couldn't help but smile when I saw the segments with the Games Makers in..
Just in case you can't tell, I'm getting very excited!
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| Games Maker uniform - washed and ready to go! |
It seems like summer has arrived just in the nick of time and, judging by the current forecast, at least Friday's opening ceremony should be dry..
I saw this McDonald's commercial on television yesterday and couldn't help but smile when I saw the segments with the Games Makers in..
Just in case you can't tell, I'm getting very excited!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Venue Specific Training
On Saturday, it was time for Venue Specific Training (VST) at Greenwich Park. This was the first time that we have been able to see the venue, meet some of the people who we'll be working with and really get a flavour of what we'll be doing during the Games.
It was also the first time that I've travelled all the way from Aylesbury to Greenwich Park - not a short trip! Since I was last in London a few weeks ago, pink 2012 signs have been put up in the Underground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) stations, indicating the right trains to take for the various venues. These are certainly very useful.
Another welcome discovery was the free wi-fi that is being offered in all of the stations this summer. As you can't generally get a mobile phone signal on the Underground, this is great news.
Once I got to Greenwich Park, I signed in and was directed to a large marquee. We were seated based on which direction we would be travelling to the Games from, so I was sat in the "North" section. This was a great way to share travel tips with people from your part of the country, while we waited for things to get started.
There then followed a series of presentations to inform us about the venue and the various events that will be taking place there. Following this we were split up into groups, based on our roles, and taken for a tour of the park.
Greenwich Park is where all of the equestrian events will be taking place, as well as the running, riding and shooting disciplines of the modern pentathlon. It's a massive venue (74 hectares/183 acres) and it's extremely impressive. We weren't allowed to take any photos, unfortunately, as things are still under construction and the cross-country course is meant to be confidential until Games time, but it's truly spectacular.
It's only when you see a venue up close that you begin to appreciate just how much work and organisation is required to prepare and staff just one of these places. Where do you even begin when presented with such a huge project? When you then consider how many venues there are, the overall scale of the Olympics is breathtaking.
So, another brilliant day! Next up, the Opening Ceremony technical rehearsal!
It was also the first time that I've travelled all the way from Aylesbury to Greenwich Park - not a short trip! Since I was last in London a few weeks ago, pink 2012 signs have been put up in the Underground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) stations, indicating the right trains to take for the various venues. These are certainly very useful.
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| Canary Wharf DLR station |
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| Taking the DLR to Greenwich |
Another welcome discovery was the free wi-fi that is being offered in all of the stations this summer. As you can't generally get a mobile phone signal on the Underground, this is great news.
 |
| Entrance to Greenwich Park |
Once I got to Greenwich Park, I signed in and was directed to a large marquee. We were seated based on which direction we would be travelling to the Games from, so I was sat in the "North" section. This was a great way to share travel tips with people from your part of the country, while we waited for things to get started.
There then followed a series of presentations to inform us about the venue and the various events that will be taking place there. Following this we were split up into groups, based on our roles, and taken for a tour of the park.
Greenwich Park is where all of the equestrian events will be taking place, as well as the running, riding and shooting disciplines of the modern pentathlon. It's a massive venue (74 hectares/183 acres) and it's extremely impressive. We weren't allowed to take any photos, unfortunately, as things are still under construction and the cross-country course is meant to be confidential until Games time, but it's truly spectacular.
It's only when you see a venue up close that you begin to appreciate just how much work and organisation is required to prepare and staff just one of these places. Where do you even begin when presented with such a huge project? When you then consider how many venues there are, the overall scale of the Olympics is breathtaking.
So, another brilliant day! Next up, the Opening Ceremony technical rehearsal!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Olympic Torch Relay In Stoke Mandeville
The Olympic flame came to Stoke Mandeville today, just a ten minute walk from my office. Despite the grey clouds, loads of people came out to see it and there was a really great, happy atmosphere.
Stoke Mandeville is the birthplace of the Paralympics (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14896776), so despite being a tiny place, this was a significant port of call for the Torch Relay.
This isn't a great video, but I hope it helps to convey some of the atmosphere of the occasion.
The momentum of the Olympics is increasing rapidly now. This Saturday is my Venue Specific Training at Greenwich Park, on July 25th I'm fortunate enough to be attending the technical rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony, and on July 28th it's my first shift as a Games Maker!
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| Torch Relay In Stoke Mandeville |
Stoke Mandeville is the birthplace of the Paralympics (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14896776), so despite being a tiny place, this was a significant port of call for the Torch Relay.
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| Olympic Flame In Stoke Mandeville |
The momentum of the Olympics is increasing rapidly now. This Saturday is my Venue Specific Training at Greenwich Park, on July 25th I'm fortunate enough to be attending the technical rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony, and on July 28th it's my first shift as a Games Maker!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Olympic Pin Trading
Something that I've only recently become aware of is how popular pin trading is at the Olympics. I've heard it described as the "number one spectator sport" at the Olympic Games. Apparently it all started at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, and it has just been growing and growing ever since. It's expected to be hugely popular at London 2012, so I've been building a little collection to get me started..
Coca Cola is setting up Pin Trading Centres at the Olympic Park and Hyde Park, but from what I've read people will trade with you just about everywhere, and the Underground is expected to be a good source of trades!
According to the Games Maker uniform guide, we're not supposed to wear pins on our uniforms, but we can put them on the flaps of our bags. Apart from the fact that there are some really beautiful London 2012 pins out there, this seems like a really cute hobby and an ideal way of meeting people at the Games. It's a great "excuse" for striking up a conversation with someone and, even if you don't have a language in common, anyone can understand the process, so it seems like a perfect, international ice-breaker!
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| Ready for trading! - My little London 2012 pin collection |
According to the Games Maker uniform guide, we're not supposed to wear pins on our uniforms, but we can put them on the flaps of our bags. Apart from the fact that there are some really beautiful London 2012 pins out there, this seems like a really cute hobby and an ideal way of meeting people at the Games. It's a great "excuse" for striking up a conversation with someone and, even if you don't have a language in common, anyone can understand the process, so it seems like a perfect, international ice-breaker!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Uniform Collection at UDAC
Yesterday it was finally time to go and collect all of my Games Maker kit and accreditation from the UDAC (Uniform Distribution & Accreditation Centre). This is something that I've been looking forward to for ages!
The UDAC is situated on Stephenson Street, in London's Canning Town and is where most of the 70,000 Games Makers, plus the paid staff collect their uniform. It turned out to be a huge warehouse, in the middle of a particularly ugly industrial estate, but conveniently it was right next to the Star Lane DLR station, so there was no chance of getting lost.
As always, everything was extremely well organised. First step was to check in, which as you can see below, required very little waiting even though it was a Saturday afternoon.
Then, depending on your situation (eg. if you need to get your photo re-taken for your accreditation), you are asked to follow a different coloured line on the ground, which takes you to where you need to go. As everything was in order for me, I was able to go straight to the accreditation area, where I was given my ID badge for the Games. Then it was around the corner to a waiting area.
Even though this looks like a horrendous queue, it moved quickly and it was a nice opportunity to get to talk to some fellow Games Makers and compare notes while we waited.
Then it was time to be fitted for the shoes..
The shoes are my absolute favourite part of the uniform. They look great and they're very light and comfortable - which is important when you consider how long we will be wearing them for and how much walking around we'll be doing during the Games.
After the shoes, we were shown to a different area to try on the shirt, trousers and jacket. There were no mirrors in the changing rooms, unfortunately, but I guess this was deliberate to ensure that people are as quick as possible when trying things on and don't spend time admiring themselves in their Olympic finery! All of the sizes are noted down for you on a form, which you then take to the distribution area...
It's here that you realise how much kit you are being given: shoes, two pairs of trousers, two shirts, a jacket, socks, a bag, a water bottle, an umbrella, a special Games Maker Swatch watch and a notebook. All of this is packed into a big black bag, which is completely full by the time you move on to the checkout area...
Here everything is taken out and compared against your "shopping list" to make sure that there haven't been any mistakes. It's also scanned at the till (I guess for stock control) before it's all packed up again for you and you're sent on your way, stopping briefly to collect your Games Maker Oyster card on the way.
From check-in to check-out, the whole process took no more than 1 1/2 hours. As I've mentioned before, I've really been impressed by how well organised everything has been so far and I hope this bodes well for the Games themselves.
What a brilliant day!
The UDAC is situated on Stephenson Street, in London's Canning Town and is where most of the 70,000 Games Makers, plus the paid staff collect their uniform. It turned out to be a huge warehouse, in the middle of a particularly ugly industrial estate, but conveniently it was right next to the Star Lane DLR station, so there was no chance of getting lost.
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| UDAC, 101 Stephenson Street |
As always, everything was extremely well organised. First step was to check in, which as you can see below, required very little waiting even though it was a Saturday afternoon.
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| Checking in |
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| Waiting for the shoes |
Then it was time to be fitted for the shoes..
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| Shoe Fitting |
After the shoes, we were shown to a different area to try on the shirt, trousers and jacket. There were no mirrors in the changing rooms, unfortunately, but I guess this was deliberate to ensure that people are as quick as possible when trying things on and don't spend time admiring themselves in their Olympic finery! All of the sizes are noted down for you on a form, which you then take to the distribution area...
 |
| Uniform distribution area |
It's here that you realise how much kit you are being given: shoes, two pairs of trousers, two shirts, a jacket, socks, a bag, a water bottle, an umbrella, a special Games Maker Swatch watch and a notebook. All of this is packed into a big black bag, which is completely full by the time you move on to the checkout area...
 |
| Checking out |
Here everything is taken out and compared against your "shopping list" to make sure that there haven't been any mistakes. It's also scanned at the till (I guess for stock control) before it's all packed up again for you and you're sent on your way, stopping briefly to collect your Games Maker Oyster card on the way.
From check-in to check-out, the whole process took no more than 1 1/2 hours. As I've mentioned before, I've really been impressed by how well organised everything has been so far and I hope this bodes well for the Games themselves.
What a brilliant day!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Games Maker Role Specific Training
With 99 days to go until the Oympics, yesterday was my Role Specific Training at Hackney Community College.
Hackney isn't the easiest place to get to from Aylesbury, so I set the alarm for an early start and managed to get to the station in time for the 07:30 train. By 09:30 I had made it to the college:
I've been extremely impressed by how well organised the Games Maker programme has been, right from the outset, and yesterday's training was no exception. Registration upon arrival was an absolute breeze and took no more than a couple of minutes:
Hackney isn't the easiest place to get to from Aylesbury, so I set the alarm for an early start and managed to get to the station in time for the 07:30 train. By 09:30 I had made it to the college:
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| Games Maker Training at Hackney Community College |
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| Entrance to the Training Centre |
I've been extremely impressed by how well organised the Games Maker programme has been, right from the outset, and yesterday's training was no exception. Registration upon arrival was an absolute breeze and took no more than a couple of minutes:
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| Games Maker Registration at Hackney Community College |
I was then directed into a room, where people were gathering for a 10:00 start:
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| Training Room |
By start time, there must have been 70-80 people - everyone part of the Event Services Team. From a show of hands, there appeared to be two other people in the room who will be at working at the Greenwich Park venue, like me.
It was a long day but really enjoyable. Everyone there was very friendly and extremely excited about being part of the Games. It was also very interesting. Together we learned about things like scanning tickets, crowd management, using the radios, access control, etc.
So, what's next? At the beginning of April we'll be informed about our rosters, then we'll have to go to West Ham one day to collect our uniforms and accreditation. Finally, just before the Games start, we'll have to spend a day at our respective venues for our venue-based training.
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