2013-05-25T20:16:04-04:00 Susie Beck http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=susie-beck Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Susie Beck Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1800497 2012-08-18T04:21:06-04:00 2012-10-17T05:12:09-04:00

Susie Beck http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susie-beck/
The surreality of the Olympic village only really became apparent to me on returning home and having the "how was your day" chat with my parents. "So how was your day?" "Yea, was alright, did some scanning, chatted with some athletes...oh, saw Boris Johnson....and Dame Kelly Holmes...put some bed extensions in for some athletes...oh, met Sir Charles Allen (Olympic Village Mayor)...I'm quite tired now" "Sounds like a good day" "Oh, completely forgot, Dana Vollmer came round to say thanks after winning her Gold medal, that was nice". I've always been one to partake in the sport of celeb spotting, however with previous highlights being former Apprentice contestants, I was initially excited to keep track of the people I'd seen but in the Village it was like shooting goldfish in a bowl. Therefore it soon became untenable. As an NOC (National Olympic Committee) Assistant professionalism was a core part of our job, and part of this meant not asking for photographs no matter how tempting it was when I saw Usain Bolt walked past! For me it was enough to be there and see it with my own eyes that photos were an additional luxury I could sacrifice.

I have been asked many times "so what is it that you actually do?" and so far I have failed to answer it particularly concisely. The difficulty is that in my role I could be asked to do anything, within reason. I have driven people and packages to training venues, hospitals and other destinations when needed. I have worked closely with the Sports Medicine team, filled ice baths, done inventories, kept track of scan results, accompanied athletes for treatment and been a one woman admin team for them. However, what was most important was that I and the rest of the NOC assistant team were their port of call for local knowledge. This knowledge really was invaluable to them. One particular job that will always stick in my mind will be sourcing a wheelchair for the mother of an athlete who had injured herself in such a way that she wouldn't be able to watch her daughter compete for a gold medal unless one was found to get her to the venue. This is where the rather lovely people of the Red Cross came in to save the day but without the local knowledge of where to find it, the athlete's mother would have missed seeing her daughter win gold.

Back at my first training session we all wrote letters to ourselves about what was in store. In it I wrote that I hoped it would live up to the expectation that it would be a once in a lifetime experience despite not having a clue as to what I'd actually be doing! It's safe to say that it lived up to my expectations and exceeded them. I really hadn't realised the number of incredible people I'd meet nor the fantastic friendships that I'd form. I had hoped that I might be able to go and see the Sports Medicine department and maybe meet some of the people there; the fact that I was able to work so closely with them, as a medical student, was an added bonus that I really wasn't expecting. I also had no idea of the large number of gifts that we would receive as tokens of appreciation for the help we provided. I was stunned by the level of kindness we were shown by our American "employers" and they really seemed to be grateful for our help.

This has been so much more that an exercise in being able to say that "I was there". Quite the contrary. In many cases I wasn't "there", I was instead "a part of it".

Now I have to piece myself together so to get back to normal life after an Olympic sized hangover...

This is going to take a while...I still feel emotional each time I look at the Hungarian Olympic Committee statue I won in Sir Charles Allen's workforce raffle...

In the words of Morrissey:

"I know it's over - still I cling, I don't know where else I can go..."

I feel numb...]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1722799 2012-07-31T07:27:26-04:00 2012-09-30T05:12:04-04:00

Susie Beck http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susie-beck/
On Friday night while the rest of the country (and the world) was huddled around television screens ready and eager to end 7 years of waiting for the highly secretive Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, myself and the rest of the NOC Assistant team were reaching our own highly anticipated event. All our work and training had been building up to the start of the Games and one thing I'd been most excited about, was completing the privileged role of marching with the athletes through the Village and depositing them safely to the Olympic Stadium. We'd been given an hour to gather up our athletes and marching officials before walking them through to the Olympic Stadium for that iconic and unique event; the Athlete's Parade. I hadn't quite imagined how tough it was going to be to get them in the right place at the right (and highly specific) time.

We knew that we would be surrounded by what are some of the most famous athletes in the world but the furore and circus that surrounded the USA Basketball Dream Team even within the safety of the Olympic Village was a factor that made our job more intense than expected and the evening yet more surreal for me. Other athletes and officials from other countries were desperate to have their photos taken with superstars like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James; understandable, but we had a time to keep to! As we waited to cross over into the Olympic Park we were suddenly aware of a huge roar and cheering...Team GB were about to start their march. I caught a glimpse of Sir Chris Hoy at the front of the heaving crowd of white and gold clad athletes. Divided loyalties? Not really...we'd already agreed that when it came down to USA vs GB it was GB all the way!

We gave them a wave and a cheer and continued on our way to the Olympic Stadium through the stunningly lit Olympic Park. It was at this point that I caught a glimpse of my hero and idol. I had informed my team that if they were ever to see her they must notify me immediately. A job they completed impeccably as a prod in the back came and pointed out to me a blonde blob in the darkness. Sat up on high in the perfectly placed BBC Studios - the back of the head of Sue Barker...it absolutely made my night. I was explaining to one of the USA Men's Water Polo team as to why I was so excited by seeing the back of Sue Barker's head...with Kobe Bryant standing just behind. Only now do I realise how odd this situation was. Wandering around the Village you become desensitised to seeing some of the most famous athletes in the world on a daily basis but some people will always remain legendary in my eyes.

With Team USA successfully escorted, we said our goodbyes and cheered them on their way. From this point on we had to rely on the memories of the dress rehearsal two days previously where we had marched as athletes. A fantastic experience that I'll never forget but nothing in comparison to what the athletes were about to experience as, unlike those of us who marched into an empty stadium, they would be welcomed by a raucous crowd. We stayed to watch Team USA enter the stadium on the big screen outside the stadium and gave them a huge cheer. However, shortly after this the screens were switched off, much to the disappointment of the crowd of volunteers that had gathered. A voice came over the tannoy announcing that if we needed to get to the Village we needed to get there within 5 minutes before the area went into lock down. We sprinted back down the route, desperate to get back to our home in the Village to watch the rest of the ceremony. Little did we know the reason why we were being cleared from the area was going to be so spectacular.

Still buzzing from the events earlier in the evening I went back up to our Sports Medicine Clinic where we found that the team had set up a TV on the balcony which overlooked the Olympic Stadium and Park. We were able to watch the rest of the ceremony topped by the most incredible fireworks display. It felt like we were directly underneath them and could feel the vibrations emitted from each explosion. The feeling on our balcony was that this Opening Ceremony was a triumph.

Now we are a few days into the Games it feels like all other pre-games worries are forgotten and the Opening Ceremony a distant memory, for now the sport and athletes take centre stage. Already Team USA have gold medallists and are dominating in the pool. It's refreshing to finally be talking about performances of the elite athletes for whom all these preparations have been for. This is what the Olympics is really about.

Come on Team GB...and Team USA...but not if they're competing against each other...]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1701119 2012-07-25T07:43:24-04:00 2012-09-24T05:12:25-04:00

Susie Beck http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susie-beck/
The Australians have decorated their apartments with Kangaroos and the Canadians have brought a giant red moose. Not to be outdone, we at Team USA had a box of flags along with a box of leaflets on how to respect the flag and we weren't afraid to use them! The only problem was the lack of tying holes and cable tie with which to tie them onto our balconies. Cue trip to local hardware store and confusing the shop assistant before returning with flag installation materials. It was an interesting trip particularly as we ended up picking up a Russian delegate outside the village who was lost trying to get into the Olympic park...my Russian is non-existent and his English wasn't much better! After safely depositing said Russian delegate to a secure location for pick up, we continued on to get on with the important matter at hand. However, with the lack of grommets to insert into the holes we had made (whilst fully respecting the flag), some good old fashioned resourcefulness had to be employed. Out came the superglue, some medical gloves, a pair of pliers and some brass washers. I didn't think I'd be performing surgery on a flag but there's always a first time for everything!

Turns out performing surgery on a flag wasn't the closest I'd get to the "day job" during my time here. That night I got a call to say that the medical team wanted me to be their assistant for the rest of the games time. Such a great opportunity for me as a medical student to be working directly with the US medical team! Since then I've been taking them to hospitals to see the facilities and trekking out to the venues. Finally getting to have a look around the Olympic Park this week really was special. It's an incredible place - we should really be proud. The buildings are impressive and the park itself is vast, I was shattered after walking around it! During my time with the medical team I've been stunned by the level of energy the team has and how they manage to keep going from 7am right through to 11pm just so they can be there in case any athlete needs their services in the clinic as well as getting on with all the administrative work that needs to be done.

Preparations are almost complete and athletes are pouring in. Team Welcome Ceremonies where every country is officially welcomed to the Village by the Village Mayor, invited to sign the Truce Wall and have their National Anthem played and flag raised are in full swing. The National Youth Theatre has done a fantastic job of creating a truly imaginative performance which has been really well received by the NOCs. There really is an excitement building in the village and I was lucky enough to be at the Team Welcome Ceremony for Team GB. The Village Plaza was full of athletes, officials, and high profile guests - Dame Kelly Holmes, Tessa Sanderson, Jonathan Edwards, Lord Coe, HRH Princess Anne to name a few. However it was the number of fellow Games Makers who turned out in force that I felt generated the electric atmosphere and sense of anticipation and expectation of what is to come over the next few weeks.

Next stop Opening Ceremony rehearsals... I and the rest of the team of NOC Assistants have been drafted in to march through pretending to be athletes so if you're lucky enough to have tickets, give us a wave! Unfortunately the parade won't be going all the way down to the U in the alphabet so we'll be standing in as Cote d'Ivoire. Hopefully we'll get to see some of it as on the night itself I'll be making sure the real athletes of Team USA get from the Village to the stadium for their welcome parade.

I really hope it doesn't rain...]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1677533 2012-07-16T16:29:55-04:00 2012-09-15T05:12:02-04:00

Susie Beck http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susie-beck/
We were soon put to work as every room needed to be checked and inventories completed within 24 hours of arrival. We whizzed from room to room checking - 1 bed, 2 towels, 2 laundry bags, 1 desklamp, 1 extension cable and exactly 10 hangers in the wardrobes for each athlete in every bedroom. A job usually dreaded suddenly becomes truly exciting when you realise where you are and who might be sleeping in those beds. Then of course from a legacy perspective (reference to Twenty Twelve) I made time to investigate which of the apartments I'd like to move into after the games have finished. Incidentally there's one with a great view of the Olympic Park and great balcony which I am particularly interested in!

A couple of days in and press day was upon us. I wasn't aware of it in advance but the swarms of press attachés with cameras gave it away. Along with the camera appearing behind me out of nowhere when a French television group had realised we were walking with the USA committee members. So used to it were we by lunchtime that I didn't even notice Boris Johnson until I caught a flash of white go past me and after double taking a few times I realised it was The Mayor of London and not an isolated flash of lightening!

I couldn't have believed quite how varied my work would be. After having completed all the inventories we have been unpacking boxes, driving the official vehicles to various location ready for moving members of committee and athletes around and kitting out the dedicated USA medical facilities in the village. All of this may seem pernickety but we like to think that our efforts will allow the athletes to only worry about performing their best and not whether they had enough hangers to put their clothes on!

We're ready to start welcoming the athletes to our "Disneyland"-like Village in the middle of Stratford...I think...]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1665935 2012-07-12T19:00:00-04:00 2012-09-11T05:12:10-04:00

Susie Beck http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susie-beck/
I remember exactly where I was that day - the dentist waiting room in Kings Cross.. hardly exotic, but definitely memorable! On hearing Jacques Rogge announcing that games were to be awarded to the "City of.. London" the whole waiting room mirrored the scenes in Singapore and erupted into manic cheering. A place normally so sombre, awkward and silent suddenly became a place of celebration. The decision to volunteer for the games had been made then and there.

I was always a keen hockey player and had played at national competitions and been to England performance camps. At that age I really thought that I may have been in for a chance to play at the games. Alas (unsurprisingly!) that never came to light but I was still inspired by the spirit of the games to be determined to be a part of it in any way I could. I am an east Londoner and I just couldn't imagine not being a part of the team welcoming the world to my home. For me it was obvious. I could never have imagined the journey I would then end up undertaking.

240,000 people applied to be volunteer 'GamesMakers' and 70,000 people were appointed after selection events held across the country. By the time I got round to my selection event I had completed a degree in Biology with a year living and studying in Germany, had worked for a year as receptionist in a GP surgery and had successfully gained a place and was half way through my first year as a graduate entry medical student at University of Birmingham.

My life had changed so much but my desire to participate in the games never waned. I had no idea I was being considered for one of the best volunteer positions available - the "NOC Assistant" role. I came back from the selection event absolutely buzzing and full of excitement at the prospect of working with the actual athletes and National Olympic Committee members!

Shortly after coming down from that intense high I made a thoroughly gutting discovery that due to the term dates of the clinical academic year that I would in fact be due to be on placement during games time. This would mean that I could not take the job if I was to be offered it. I went tail between legs to my university support officer to ask if there was any possibility I could be given the time off, in no way expecting anything other than, no. Quite the opposite happened, I was met with encouragement and excitement and since then I have been amazed by the University's ability to make it possible for me to take this dream role.

I have spent the past year going to various training sessions coming backwards and forwards to London and learning more and more about this exciting role. I found myself revising for my exams on trains, buses, coaches, street corners and train stations as I was attempting to juggle my studies with training sessions. It has all been worth it and I have been lucky enough to be assigned the USA delegation to work along with 11 other people who, like me, are all volunteers and have been inspired by having the games here, in London, in 2012 i.e. here and now.

0 days to go...]]>