Now, although I was pretty handy with a hockey stick in my uni years, this talent did not stay with me on my journey into adulthood. I have finally come to terms with the fact that I may never compete for Team GB - but I did manage to get into the Olympic stadium. In fact, right onto the 'field of play'. (Disclaimer - no, that wasn't me gate crashing the India team parade...)
Sometime late in 2011, I happened upon a website that called for volunteers to fulfil a role that would, to roll out a much-used cliche, be a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity. And after a couple of attendances at a secret location in East London and a few months of waiting for an email, I was finally rewarded with the news that I'd been offered a role in the Paralympic Opening Ceremony.
The list of rehearsal times was extensive. For a period during July, we were rehearsing 3 times a week for 4 -5 hours at a time. But it was fabulous fun, meeting a wide range of people who had all volunteered their time with enthusiasm. And none of us really knowing what we'd let ourselves in for.
So, after 5 weeks of rehearsals in a film studio in Bow and 2 weeks rehearsing in the world's biggest car park in Dagenham, and the issuing of a plethora of access and accreditation passes, we hit the Olympic stadium for our first on-site rehearsal.
All too soon the night itself arrived. Backstage, in the warren of corridors, areas and rooms beneath the stadium seating, was a buzz of excitement. We were in our 'holding area' for hours, having arrived at the stadium at 3pm for a last minute addition to our choreography. The scheduled time for our part of the performance was 10.30pm, but as the athletes parade overran we were still waiting to go on at 11pm.
A lot of time was spent waiting in the wings, peering out at the show through any available open door or trying to evade security by getting upstairs to the media area where we'd managed to watch most of the dress rehearsal a few days before.
At long last it was time to move. Led to our area we got a glimpse of the vast audience flickering with camera flashes as another cast section headed out into the arena amid cheers and whistles from the rest of us.
And suddenly we were out there ourselves! (and I managed to find myself on a couple of photos on the internet...)
 |
| photo from Flickr |
 |
| photo from Flickr |
 |
| photo from Flickr |
 |
| photo from Flickr |
 |
| photo from Flickr |
 |
| I'm on the right... |
Yay - you are clearly famous! I absolutely loved watching both the Olympics and Paralympics this year. I imagine you are really proud to have been part of it - both seemed fabulous viewed from a far. My 6 year old daughter has watched the opening and closing ceremonies from both 'lympics about 3 times so far and there's no sign of her enthusiasm abating yet - I'll look out for you in the next viewing - the one in black and white - you should be easy to spot...
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful thing to have been a part of. You'll definitely spot me - I'm the one wearing red Doc Martens...
DeleteHow exciting so have you a photo of yourself in your costume?
ReplyDeleteMmmm, okay - just this once, a photo of me on the blog... Added at the end of the post.
DeleteWow! What a fantastic experience, it will be something you remember all your life. Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI have my collection of access passes, rehearsal bib, ceremony programme and letter from the PM all bundled away in a memory box. And all the memories in my head of course!
DeleteSounds great fun and certainly a night to remember. Love the costumes especially the footwear! My sister was a volunteer during the Olympics - her duties were meeting and greeting at Heathrow, an experience which she thoroughly enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we didn't get to keep the boots! They were being sent back to Dr Martens and then being donated to homeless charities around the UK. But the t-shirt has already had a bit of wear since the night. A number of my friends were Gamesmakers with duties ranging from driving VIPs around, escorting the tennis players on and off the courts at Wimbledon to sitting in the middle of the athletics stadium typing in the race times for the big boards. All of them loved their varying experiences.
Delete