From the Paris Olympics Athletes Village
My Paris Olympics 2024 parcours started well before my arrival on Sunday, 14th July; there had been various questionnaires to complete, interviews, online training, the occasional (really tough!) visit to sort accreditation or uniform, as well as much research.
I am working in the Olympic Village, near the banks of the Seine, not far from the Ile-Saint-Denis and a métro stop away from the Stade de France (more about this later in the Fun bite!). The VMC is situated at the far end of the Village, near the bridge over the Seine, which connects to the island, and where Team GB and Team China, amongst others, are based. I have a lovely team with whom to work: American; Brazilian; French; German; Irish; Mexican. Shifts are either 09:00-15:15 or 14:45-21:00. Work involves the following: registration of international journalists and broadcasters from just about anywhere on the planet; Press conferences; assisting with training venues in the Village; greeting various dignitaries, athletes, media, or visitors; and checking filming in the Village.
I will now comment on a few areas of interest and the three top highlights (at the end).
The atmosphere in the Village is hard to describe, but imagine a constant flow of people from 205 nations. Past and current, well-known and lesser-known athletes, royalty, Presidents, and Olympic dignitaries abound, but the colour of flags, the languages, and cultural pageant really leave an impression on the senses.
The buildings are draped with each delegation’s flags. Some nations go further and bring iconic symbols or artefacts. Each morning, I walk by the Team USA building to view a tapestry of great superstars, then in front of an emu and kangaroo to the entrance of Team Australia. Canada has a large Caribou outside the main entrance and Team GB has a red telephone box.
My walk to the Media Centre takes 15 minutes and includes a stop to check in, which enables me to get food in the canteen later each day. I walk amongst athletes: Simone Biles; Nikola Jokić; Keely Hodgkinson; Léon Marchand; or Noah Lyles (a fair few medals amongst this list!). However, it is the buzz, the languages, the smiles, the common purpose, and the camaraderie that leave the greatest impression on me.
The infrastructure and security are of the highest order in the Village. I am in awe of the planning, the execution, and the precision of all that I see and experience, whether the ubiquitous golfettes transporting athletes, the slick security procedures, or the mass catering provision.
I will confess that the presence of certain delegations does focus my intention a little more than perhaps required … North Korean athletes chatting with other nations, Palestinians and Israelis walk by each other, the Refugee Team competing, or Team GB in general.
I have made, and am making great friends as I work with lovely colleagues … this will be an indelible memory, and I am grateful for the welcome extended by each. Further thanks go to several media people (from The Times, OBS [Olympic Broadcasting Services], BBC, and foreign newspapers), or sporting individuals (this is not for name-dropping purposes!) who took the time to chat and show a genuine interest in my work: Tom Daley; Adam Peaty; Keely Hodgkinson; Andy Murray; and Merili Luuk (Team Estonia’s Communication manager).
Now for the top three highlights:
1. Pin badges … these are given out, traded, swapped, requested (by, between, and to athletes, workers, visitors). I have collected 20, with favourites being Olympic Peace Dove and rings, Team GB, and Team China.
2. Languages … my record for greeting different delegations is 10 languages in one day. What a difference this makes to the recipient and what a smile it elicits.
3. Truce Ceremony … this took place near the Agora (pillars and monument near the Seine). Thomas Bach (President of the IOC), Tony Estanguet (President of the Paris Organising Committee), Masamah Ali Zada (IOC Refugee Olympic Team Chef de Mission) spoke at a moving Olympic truce ceremony. I attended amongst hundreds of athletes, delegations representatives, and press; to witness Palestinian and Israeli athletes together, a message of peace delivered, and the mingling of 205 nations was deeply moving.
I will present 5 sports stars in next month’s blog in order to focus on the values and attributes that make them elite athletes, traits that can be employed by us all in life.
Fun bite
How do you pronounce the following French stadium (athletics and Closing Ceremony venue)? → Stade de France
Did you say “Sta-de France” or “Stade de France”? Try again and listen to yourself!
