Athletics, Archery and the Last Leg

Today was one of those days. 

I passed through Gare du Nord several times heading back and forth. First was to the Stade de France for the free Athletics ticket we were given.

Plenty of things going on there, long jump, shot put, 1500m, 100m, VI races with guides, wheelchair races, you name it, it was happening.

There were a fair few other volunteers I knew were heading to this morning's session, but one I had said about trying to meet up with. Mary, I had worked with at the London Para Athletics in 2017.

Towards the end of the session she messaged to say they were going to leave a bit early to head for lunch, so I headed out to try and catch up with her.

After a few minutes, no sign, I thought I might as well head off to the RER B line, far less walking than the D had been, and who was on the platform when I got there. 😀 yep, Mary with a couple of other friends.

We managed the catch up after all.

I got off at Gare du Nord and decided to head to the hotel for half an hour or so, to cool off and to stick my phone on charge as I knew it'd run down before I got back later.

Then yet again to the GdN to catch metros to the Invalides, where I had a restricted view ticket for the Para Archery. I could see the archers, but not the targets, so viewed a lot on the big screens.

A couple of the matches went to shoot outs and one match was won only by a measurement of where the arrows were closer to the bull. What a way to lose 😞

The Indian Team won the bronze. The female archer was incredible, with the way she used her bow. Completely in awe of her technique.

Jodie, who I met ten years ago as an aspiring paralympian, now was a holder of a silver medal from Rio where I caught up with her, now holder of a bronze individual medal from here last week,  and was hoping to go for gold today in the teams with Nathan MacQueen. Each match was nailbiting, but they sailed through to finally get that gold medal presented by a very narrow margin over the Iranian team, who then took the silver. Very special listening to that National Anthem, knowing the winner.

My next heading through GdN was back to near the Stade de France to the TV studios nearby, where the Last Leg was being recorded. I've been to the shows several times in Rio and in London, so fitting to add another one here.

Was not 100% certain whether I'd get in, as its very much a first come first served, and with so many priorities getting called first it was close.

Got chatting to the family of Dan Bethell, who had won a Silver medal in Badminton, I think all except 2 of them actually got in, and they'd arrived a little late.

Bearing in mind the last time I went to a show was just after Rio in 2016, I recognised most of the cameramen and the warm up guy, Mark. Obviously it's a good show to work on.

Loads of Gold medal athletes there, including many of the rowers and Jodie too was there. Sadly still didn't get a chance to meet up for a photo, but still got a photo of her there. Maybe that counts. 😉

I did try to hang around after but the production team were keen to get us out. I headed back to the RER to yet again head to the GdN. 

I bumped into Dan Bethell's family who were lost in the maze of exits and platforms, so I led them through to get them outside where they didn't have far to go.

Time to snooze now and back to shifts in the morning, for a rest 😉