Laying out my fresh out of the wrapper London 2012 snazzy uniform I am still in disbelief that the time has finally come. I can't help but think back to when I was 17, specifically 6 July 2005.
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...