And ...it's a wrap

Saturday, final day and with only archery finals taking place there was no need for us all to be there until later.

So a leisurely morning was planned except I woke at 5am and didn't get back to sleep. Long day looming then.

Got to the arena just as the official group photo was being taken but I have no idea whether I'm in it or not as it's so difficult to see people. (Found me, I'm at the end of the yellow arrow)

Wandered to the media centre but not many people around, though did manage to get checked in, hurrah. A couple of people were after getting the free invictus tattoos on offer, but the queues were so long many gave up waiting. Not something I considered, though a temporary one could have been fun. 

Our brief for this evening's closing ceremony was to "just have fun" and we were offered seats to watch the show, from high up on the stands. Offering to monitor the media area meant standing lower down with a better view and once the show started was able to sit in one of the media seats. 

I did have friends on the stage and the floor with the athletes, but was a great view of it all from where I was, including the teams gathering in the centre court area ready to come on stage to take their bow and applause.

We were entertained by Sam Ryder, Tiktokker and our Eurovision entry from 2022 where Ukraine won. His song Mountain, being chosen by the UK team as their entry music. 

Rita Ora closed the show out with a fabulously uplifting set, but the biggest cheers of the evening, as throughout, went to the Ukraine team. Taira being the best known from the programme Invictus featured recently, taken prisoner and held for 12 weeks, thankfully released and able to compete this year. Last year, her daughter competed for her; so inspirational.

The usual closing speeches, inspirational stories that had us, and Prince Harry in tears, as he was recounting to us. There have been so many inspirational tales of overcoming physical and mental health issues. For many being able to be with people who understand them, and for them to compete and belong, once again, to a "team", means everything.

We wrapped with a volunteer thank you party, though weren't able to stay until the 1am finish. 

Managed to say goodbye to loads of the volunteer friends I've met over the years at different games that I know I will see in the future. This is simply aufwiedersehen.

The next Invictus event will be in Canada in February 2025, Vancouver and Whistler, as they are going to incorporate some winter sports into the schedule. 

Bring it on

In the mean time, thank you Dusseldorf, Thank-you to my Cousin for putting me up and sharing the Invictus journey. 

Until the next event.... I'm now heading home.

Bows and arrows

Friday arrives and the penultimate day of competition. Today Cycling, Archery and sitting volleyball.

I was keen to see the archery having been involved with that in 2014, so with competition starting early 3 of us headed to the archery tent. 

There were several different competitions taking place at once, so to begin with wasn't easy to work out. Of course the different bows should have given it away. (And later on the targets too differed)

The area itself was full of people, far too many to be able to give the competitors space and made it difficult to see the photo guys in the midst of team physios, coaches and other competitors.

A call came out via our team WhatsApp group, that Harry was going to be heading to the sitting volleyball and there weren't many people on the court to help, so, I headed off to help out there as the first session of the archery was nearly finished. 

It wasn't long before Harry and Meghan arrived to watch the Poland vs Germany game. The whole arena sang Happy Birthday to him for his 39th birthday and after the game, which Poland won, they presented him with what looked like a team photo gift.

After they left the arena I headed back to the archery, where the 2nd session was in place. And just as I got there Harry and Meghan went past in one of the electric carts, heading down to the cycling area. Damn, I could have got a lift.

Compound targets a bit different.

Quite exciting to watch the scores mount up after the 10 ends of 3 arrows each. The top 16 through to later rounds, though some smaller competitions were decided today.

Once this session was done we headed to lunch, shift done while the next shift took over. 

After lunch we headed back to the arena to watch the second of the sitting volleyball semi finals with Poland against Georgia, UK having lost the first semi, meant they were in the Bronze medal play off against the losers of this match, Georgia.

We left the arena to meet up with my cousin who I hadn't seen for a while and we wandered in the village for a while before heading to watch the UK vs Georgia Bronze medal match. Our first 3 set one. Sadly UK lost but it was a great game.

Last day tomorrow, Saturday, and closing ceremony to come. A later shift start so time to catch up on some snooze.

The end is nigh

Each day brings us closer to the closing and with not much competition left, we were again in for an early shift for the sitting volleyball and table tennis. 

Heading into the centre court we were expecting a royal visit, but had no idea when. The rumour mill started and the photographers gathered, but the match finished and we were left "unvisited" (is that a word?)

I was approached by one of the digital media volunteers who was helping to do a piece to help encourage people to apply to Canada 2025, the final Invictus Games. 

I'm sure I did a brilliant piece to camera, but the guy forgot to turn the microphone on, so we had to re-record and I'm sure I wasn't as articulate the 2nd time. I'm not sure if they'll use it or not. More fame eh? I must now remember to go and register my interest in the games while here.

As we had split into 3 different shifts today we headed to lunch at 12.30 with not much left to do.

We were going back to watch some more volleyball then we got the word that Harry and Meghan would be heading to Court 1. So round the arena we went and I ended up, on a stairway, blocking photographers when the Royal pair came right past me to watch the Ukraine vs Nigeria sitting volleyball game. As the game didn't last too long, they soon headed back again,  right past me and I was able to say hello to Meghan as she passed. Sadly no photo, no proof, I know the rules. 😉 

Except, my friend said she saw me on the TV, I mean, I was just a speck, but was it definitely me? It's someone, 😉 not sure anyone would be able to look too closely. My friend did get this one though so that counts right?

Once that excitement was over we headed off shift. I went up to the volunteer centre then after getting the blog up to date on their WiFi, we headed to the Canadian tent promoting the 2025 games. Info request entered, we started our rowing adventure, then headed out of the park.

Stopping briefly on the way back to go and see the Rhine from one of the parks, we headed home for another early night.

2 more shifts to go and I'll be heading back to reality. But until then bring on tomorrow's shift.

A Royal Pair

We left a little later to head to the arena today, but because of that we got caught in traffic and ended up arriving later. 

I hurried to the media centre but the team hadn't yet left so all was fine. (Alles Gut)

[One of my fellow volunteers had bought me a giant pretzel which was very yummy through the day and finished in the evening.]

Today was wheelchair basketball for me. Swimming and table tennis also taking place. 

A 3pm finish today was in order for our early shift but a couple of visits from Harry and Meghan were planned for our court.

They duly arrived well after all the press had collected in the court (Royal news travels fast through the media grapevine) and watched the 2nd half of the Ukraine vs Canada group match, getting caught up in the atmosphere of it all, leaving at the end of the game.

We had a few more matches to come with the semi finals after a gap where some of the children of competitors took part in some races. 

We got word that Harry and Meghan were heading back into the court to present the medals. They arrived well before that point and spent time with the children encouraging the team relays. 

It was great seeing the children so excited to meet them, and to see them so enthusiastic with the children.

Once finished they headed off again and we headed to lunch, returning after for the semi finals. UK was beaten in the first semi so into the bronze match play off. (Which they later won). At this point my shift was over and staying to watch the finals wasn't something I wanted to do this time, so we headed home. An early night to be had after many early mornings. 😴 

Meeting old friends

Didn't sleep so well after all last night's excitement and then having to charge all my devices overnight, so with a much earlier start due to having to take the U-bahn I was a bit cream-crackered. 

Leaving at 6am, managed to get to the media centre around 7.25am and not long after the rain decided to throw itself at us as hard and fast as it could. Huge thunderstorm, but didn't last too long, thankfully, as I left my rain jacket at home.

Indoor rowing and basketball on today, with many more teams taking part than took part in the rugby, so 2 group matches were taking place at the same time in separate courts.

The listing showed each game, the first of each pair was on centre court, the 2nd on court 1. Until we got to the last pairing before lunch.

We had been told all morning that Harry was going to be in again, and I mentioned it was likely he would be at the UK / Ukraine match which looking at the schedule should have been on court 1, but that's more open so I suspected he would be in the centre court.when we saw what match was in the centre court (the UK/Ukraine) turns out they'd switched the courts as centre court is easier to control walkways and keep the press from him.

So it was to be a late lunch.

I was quite excited to see JJ Chalmers walk in ahead of the Royal visit and went over to see if he'd be happy to have a selfie. I showed him the photo I took at the Invictus games in 2014 and he laughed saying he looked like a boy.

Harry arrived and sat with JJ for the match then disappeared again after. 

After lunch we didn’t need to go back on shift as the next group were taking over and it was a short day of competition, so I sat with a few others for a while in the media tent using the free wifi and then spotted Jonathan Edwards. I tried to take a picture if him but he was in front of the window so it was a bit dark. Then Erik, one of my fellow volunteers called out to him and said I'd like to speak to him. I mentioned about Join-in (the London 2012 legacy programme we had been involved with) where we had met before some years ago, he is currently working with the host broadcaster.

Having finished my last blog using the on-site WiFi, we then headed home for a nice hot shower and an early night. 

Rugby all day

Monday dawned early, not sure I was ready for it.

We had eggs and bread before 6am and set off to find the car park near the stadium. It's a fair drive especially if you go the wrong way, but this time we found it first time. 

Headed in to the media centre but again no check in available so we just set off to get into the arena.

Yesterday security had not been happy that many of us accompanying the media did not have the right area number so we could access. They've given us "3" for media and "6" for the volunteer areas, but we needed "1" for sports so we could get into the venue to actually do our jobs. 

Our team leaders thought they had a workaround by giving us press vests, but no, that wasn't acceptable either. 

During the morning we were asked to go to the volunteer registration desk to collect an upgrade pass and funnily enough since we now have the correct access we are no longer being checked.  Hey ho. 

We started and ended in the centre Court with the wheelchair rugby. Managed to see all the remaining group games before shift ended, then after our lunch headed back to watch the semi-finals including UK.

Once the UK had won their semi final we knew it would be a long night as we settled in to watch the bronze and gold medal matches.

One very kind UK spectator took pity on us with our soggy sandwiches and offered us some cheese pretzels from the Home Nations food hall. Very Welcome.

Prince Harry once again came into the hall to visit and was around later to present the medals. 

Sadly the UK lost in the final to the USA, but it was still a great atmosphere. Harry made the presentations. (Australia won Bronze, UK won silver and USA won gold). 

Heading home after 10 it made it a late night within early morning to come. Ah well, fun had by all.

See you tomorrow 

A right Royal palaver

Today, being Sunday, meant less traffic on the roads so travelling to shift was pretty easy. If incredibly early for a Sunday start. 

It is somewhat frustrating though, to be dropped right next to the media centre, and then having to walk over half a mile all round the stadium to actually get to it. Hey ho, gets the steps off to a good start.

Competition started today.  A few of today's media team were taken out to the athletics which started at 9am, then the rest of us eventually shifted to the powerlifting which started at 10 and on to the wheelchair rugby at 12. 

GBR against France was the 2nd game and I was able to watch after my lunch break, while working of course. 

Suddenly our team leader came in and we started moving barriers around. Time to block out the photographers from parts of the arena as it seemed we were about to get a royal visit.

Prince Harry joined us for the Canada vs New Zealand game, but with so many people around him, and others to talk to,  not sure he saw much of the match. 

He left soon after to go to the powerlifting and we thought our shift was done, but then word came that he was on his way back, so again we were in position. He stayed for Italy vs "Team Unconquered" (Ukraine).

I was released from my post, having updated my replacement on what was needed, only to find Harry leaving right by me.  

This morning at start of shift the check-in app hadn't been working so we hadn't been able to check-in. So once we'd finished with our "royal duties" we headed to the volunteer centre to check in. Then grabbed a snack pack of sandwiches before chatting to a few people I knew and then heading out to make our way "home". 

So tired, but an early night needed and we get to do it all again tomorrow.

Opening up

2nd shift for me, and later, time for the teams to take centre stage for the opening ceremony.

But first a slightly later start as I didn't need to be on shift until 10am.

After a quick briefing we went to the arena to figure out where we were going to be for the evening, then we didn't have much we needed to do until some time later. We split into 2 teams one lot who would help with the photographers, the other to look after the print media journalists.  Once we'd worked out where each of the areas would be and how we could best look after them, we were left with not much to do until the evening.

We had lunch then I went wandering, hoping to find some places we could fill our water bottles. 

We'd received a message to say they had some priority tickets for seats for the opening ceremony available, but by the time we got to the area they were supposed to be,  they'd all been snapped up quickly.  Though as consolation I did get a bonus as I managed to get a mascot selfie with the Invictus bear.

While on my wanders, I kept bumping into people I knew, one a lady I had helped yesterday to find the volunteer accreditation and a friend i had met at the Glasgow commonwealth games in 2014. She was waiting to collect her accreditation and uniform but the system couldn't find her. Thankfully she got it all sorted later in the day but a nightmare to have to wait.

I did eventually find the water taps and then headed to have a quick bite to eat before we were needed in the arena.

Spent the time in the arena mostly helping people find their seats, but we find have a great view of the ceremony. 

Always so powerful to hear the inspiring speeches and see the athletes being cheered into the arena.

Once over we headed for a quick debrief  then we were done for the day.

Time to head back "home" and prepare for tomorrow, our first day of competition.

Shifts are building

An early start as my cousin needed to be in work before 8am, so we left before 7am for her to drop me at Dusseldorf main station, where I then took the U78 to the event stadium. End of the line, it was easy not to get lost. 

Headed in via the security gates then completely forgot where I was meant to go, doh! But, having asked, I found a group of volunteers also looking for where to meet. 

Eventually after some dodgy map reading and asking for help, we made the media centre. 

With the main arena areas still being built/converted, and media not yet on site, we were able to take a tour to find out where we might be working or directing people, and also spend some time figuring out our shift plan. 

It was incredibly hot today as we wandered out past the athletics track to the archery and on to where the cycling will be then took a wander through the currently half built and empty Invictus Village where there will be a lot of fun and games.  

We then headed back into the crew catering area for Lunch...a decent feed of salad, Thai butternut squash curry with rice and waffle with cherries. And yes I ate vegetables. 😋 

After lunch we spent time back at the media centre, though with not much to do, it wasn't long before our "shift" ended.

Back into the volunteer centre and in the catering area I met up with some volunteer friends. We chatted for a while, then headed off in our separate directions. They were heading for a boat trip, I was heading off to the station to catch the U-bahn.

An evening in Monheim-am-Rhein and a full belly at the end of the day. Time to snooze then see what tomorrow brings.

Travelling

The journey is long when you want to go local. Travelling from Southampton Airport to Düsseldorf used to be direct, but now it needs a hop to Amsterdam first. 50 min flight then half hour flight. 

Flying doesn't bother me at all, but still before I go anywhere I get the jitters and headaches build. All disappear once we take off, but it's weird that it happens.

Both Schiphol and Düsseldorf airports are huge, you could easily get lost. A 20 minute walk to get to the departure gate and still there was much more to explore after.....Huge!!!

In flight snacks of coconut macaroon and mini cheddars after a breakfast of prawn sandwich and crisps (WHSmith meal deal) left me hungry on my arrival, though a delayed 2nd flight meant not long to wait for my cousin to pick me up and head to her place via the takeaway. Schnitzel and chips, now I know I am in Germany.

The Columbian team travelling on my flight to Düsseldorf seemed to be in good spirit even with the flight delay. Hoping they'll all have some good competition when they get started. 

With uniform and accreditation collected, it'll soon be time to start the volunteer duties. But first an early night for an early start and a stadium tour for orientation first thing.

Bring it on

😁

I AM heading to Dusseldorf

 

Well, it's been a while, what with the Covid pandemic and an enforced break from big event volunteering, even the Commonwealth games in Birmingham didn't have a space for me. Though I did manage to get a job working in the retail store for a while. I got to work with the Perry mascots, which was great fun. I saw the opening ceremony and met up with some great volunteer friends. I got my fix and it reignited the big event volunteer need.

So........ I applied for the Invictus games in Dusseldorf in September 2023, and was delighted to be offered a role working with the press in the media centre. With the ups and downs of life it was uncertain if I'd be able to make it, but as the date creeps ever closer, it's looking good (so far)

I was part of the volunteer group from 2014 who were involved with the first Invictus Games and the pre games set up. I met a lot of people there I have seen since at other games, it will be interesting to see if some are still competing 9 years on.

Bring it on.

I AM the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.