Posts Tagged ‘Olympics’
Day 13- February 24, 2010
Posted by Vita in Olympic Experiences on February 24th, 2010
Another day, another posting and another day of waiting to see if the race would run.
I started at 10:30 am, on the second shift, and relieved the team leader at the bottom of the chair lift that spectators (and workforce) take to the plaza leading up to the viewing stands. The hosts in my group were stationed up a small slushy hill at the first entry to the venue. We had to scan tickets and direct people down the slope to the chair that would take them up to the stands. At the bottom of the chair Other hosts directed people onto the chair, ensured they removed their packs, loaded four to a chair and make sure everything was smooth and safe. The first run of the Ladies Giant Slalom started at 10am but there were still a lot of people entering the venue. The rush ended fairly quickly and hosts were able to take a break.
The first run ended by 11:30 with the second scheduled to start at 1:15 pm. A lot of people, including many of the 1400 sponsor guests exited after the first run to walk around or grab lunch so we had to direct people out the right way and tell them where to get their hands stamped so they could re enter. Many did return to view the second run. However the weather did not cooperate as fog settled over the course and after many delays, the race was finally officially postponed at 3 pm. The second run will now be held tomorrow at 9:30 am.
Today was also about volunteer recognition. I received three scheduled gifts. Two new pins to add to my collection in recognition of my first shift, a small Miga, one of the Games’ mascots, and a Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games participation medal for completing the third and sixth shifts. John Furlong, CEO of VANOC came to Creekside and as he loaded and unloaded from the chair lift shook volunteers’ hands and thanked us for “all you do.” He was also very patiently posed for pictures with as many volunteers as wanted to (my camera was not at hand).
Another great day despite the rain and postponed race. While some hosts are tired no one complained or said they would not return to finish their scheduled shifts. A couple did have lower back pain from standing in one spot for too long. Again I counselled regular movement, bending the knees and pelvic movements.
A ski day tomorrow and then two more shifts on race days, Friday and Saturday.
Day 4 – February 15, 2010
Posted by Vita in Olympic Experiences on February 15th, 2010
Well today was the exact opposite of yesterday; full of action and very busy because the men’s downhill was finally held. It was very busy for Events Services as thousands of spectators came to view the event and then had to leave.
When I arrived at 5:15 am, there were many volunteers, workers and people working on the ski run there ahead of me. The line up to get breakfast and lunch was long so I checked in and went to our briefing. I was assigned to be team leader “Plaza 20″ which was the area above where the chair lift lets spectators off. Then they walk for 10 minutes up a fairly steep slope to enter the viewing stands or general admission standing. The approach to the stands was our area.
There were four men in my group and me. We all got along and everyone was keen to help. Two of the guys were on access control at two doors to the media centre, making sure that no one without proper accreditation got in. One was a marshall, helping direct people to the viewing stands or to the “mixed area” which is reserved for press. They congregate at the finish line where they then interview the racers as they finish the race. My last position was another marshall who sits on a lifeguard chair with his megaphone directing people to the right area. In the attached picture you can see one of the guys taking turn in this role. There were supposed to be more team members but not everyone made it so we all rotated positions, including me. There was no way however that I was going up on that lifeguard chair!
The busy times were when everyone came into the venue to watch the race, called “ingress”. The gates opened at 7:30 am for a 10:30 start. The crowds were intense between 9 and 10:30. Everyone was pumped and excited and we could see some former racers and other sports people arriving and chatting.
Once the first 30 racers went down and the race was decided, a lot of people decided to leave. So instead of one large crowd leaving at the conclusion of the race we had a steady stream of people leaving or “egressing”. At the crunch it was all hands on deck, from our team and several others as well, helping to direct people to either the chair lift or the path to walk down. Finally at 2:15, 2 hours after the race was over, the last of the spectators were led off the mountain. The athletes, coaches, press and doping personnel stayed on the mountain long after that.
One of my dreams for these Olympic games was to see a ski race at the side of the mountain. It was realized in part today, as I was able to see the end of the race and the finish line from my vantage point and caught a glimpse of a few racers. There was a large screen that I had a partial view of.
It was great to be part of such an enthusiastic group of people all of whom were happy to be helping out and enjoying the ambiance of an Olympic race. On several occasions, fellow workers talked of their sore back or bad knee and I found myself giving them some movement tips and talking about my work as a #Feldenkrais practitioner.
The day that began at 5:30 ended at 3 pm. Tomorrow is another 5:30 start. In a little while I will go into Whistler Village for an hour to be part of the party atmosphere in town and then early to bed for another early morning start.
Vita
Day 3 – February 14, 2010
Posted by Vita in Olympic Experiences on February 14th, 2010
My first actual volunteer shift!
I arrived at 8:30 am as advised yesterday. The weather has not been cooperative. The men’s downhill was supposed to go yesterday but was postponed. Today’s events were also postponed so my 5:30 am shift start became an 8:30 start! There wasn’t much happening at “the venue” today so I had a chance to practice being a team leader. The team leader supports hosts working in the different areas related to spectator and accredited functions.
I spent time getting to know the venue, meeting other team leaders and supervisors and talking to the two hosts that were checking the credentials of the few athletes that wanted to practice and a few journalists trying to interview them. I also had a chance to practice the technical aspects of the role such as using the radio and the scanner to check credentials. Because things were so quiet, we shut down Event Services at noon but then spent a couple of hours calling hundreds of hosts to ask them to work tomorrow, when the downhill is now scheduled to run.
It is amazing to meet people from all walks of life who are volunteering or working at the Olympics. Today I met a woman from the UK who normally teaches skiing for Whistler, another woman from Seattle who is volunteering, a woman from Squaw Valley who is a ski coach who decided to come to Whistler for a month to work. All the workforce leaders are young, competent and very friendly. Everyone is supportive and works well together. We are well taken care of with lots of coffee, water, juice or pop and good food that includes a choice of two soups, choice of sandwich, fruit, granola bars and cookies and coffee or tea. The key is to remember to drink enough fluids.
Tomorrow is the first event at Creekside. The men’s downhill starts at 10:30 am. I start dark and early at 5:30.
Here I am in full uniform as I arrived home at the end of the day.
Day 2 – February 13, 2010
Posted by Vita in Olympic Experiences on February 13th, 2010
The Olympic Games have begun!
All afternoon yesterday I kept giving my head a shake, finally realizing what it meant to have the Olympic games in our city. I was busy all day finishing off work and doing fun things with my daughter who is in town for her school break and to enjoy the Olympics. You could feel the excitement in our local shopping area. Many merchants had signs out saying they were closing early for the Opening Ceremonies. It was great to watch the Opening Ceremonies, again, this time on TV where you could really feel the enthusiasm and excitement.
However the excitement was dampened by the death of a Georgian luge athlete yesterday morning. This is not supposed to happen in the Olympics. I was touched by how the organizers marked the event on two occasions during the ceremonies. We have tickets for a luge event this evening in Whistler. There is still no word if this event will proceed as planned.
I am leaving for Whistler shortly to begin my participation in the games. My first scheduled volunteer shift is tomorrow morning, Sunday Feb 14. I am due to start at 5:30 am and work until 4pm.
I can already foresee schedule changes. This morning’s men’s downhill has been postponed due to weather likely impacting other alpine events this week. Flexibility will be the modus operandi this week. When I teach #Feldenkrais classes I often repeat Moshe Feldenkrais’ quote: “I am after flexible minds, not flexible bodies.” I will have to try to have a flexible mind while keeping my body flexible to withstand the long days ahead.
Enjoy the games. More tomorrow.
Vita
February 9, 2010
Posted by Vita in Olympic Experiences on February 9th, 2010
This past weekend I had my last volunteer training session at Whistler Creekside, site of the alpine skiing events. I will be working in Events Services, the area responsible for all spectator related events. My job will be to lead a team of 6-8 hosts doing a variety of functions including scanning tickets, checking accreditation passes, helping people walk up the path to the viewing stands, and others I cannot remember.
The purpose of the training session was to orient us to the actual venue and to go through the steps of what happens when spectators arrive to see an event. There are a lot of acronyms and new words to learn, for example “dirty” means an area not behind security screening, while “clean” indicates it is within a secure zone. “Bubble to bubble” indicates people traveling from one secure area to another, for example athletes coming from the athletes’ village to the competition site.
We had a tour of the venue, including taking the chair lift to the spectator viewing stands. I found myself doing some small #Feldenkrais moves while standing and listening to keep warm and to make sure my lower back stayed limber and loose.
I am looking forward to starting work. My first shift is on Sunday February 14. No easy start for me; I will be working 5:30 am to 4 pm and most of the time will be outdoors.
If you are in Vancouver I hope you have a chance to take in some of the events or celebrations. For our friends out of town, make sure that TV is in working order.
Stay tuned for more. Vita