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.

Done and dusted

It's been a long and tiring few days with not much downtime for blogging.
My shifts were :
Thursday 11am-4pm, elite women's triathlon, (1500m swim, 40 km bike,  10k run)
Friday 2-6pm, Elite mens triathlon (distances as women's)
Saturday 5.30am-7pm, age graded triathlon (750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run) and elite relay triathlon (250m swim, 6k bike, 1.5k run)
Sunday 7am-5pm,  various public triathlons including tristars,  novice and sprint. (Various distances depending on age)

The weather reports seemed to change daily and we got away with very little rain up until the final shift when the waterproof trousers and jacket were very useful.

Friday 10th August
Friday's shift starting later meant we could do the same journey as Thursday without the panic of being late.
I was put onto a position in between crossing points 11 and 12, with Megan and a couple of G4S security guys, where there was a possibility of people wandering onto the course from the woods.
We watched all the elite men cycle past us on 6 laps and were then able to move down to watch them run 3 laps of the run

route. Even though we saw Alistair Brownlee in the lead pack on the cycle section, sadly he couldn't stay the pace on the run and finished in 4th, due to various fitness issues and injuries.

Saturday 11th August
A really early start beckoned, 5.30am start. Transport had been arranged for a dozen of us from central Glasgow,  so it just needed me to get there before 5am. Good old Uber, booked for a 4.15pm pick-up and spot on time.

Arriving at the park we walked through to workforce check-in, picked up both breakfast and lunch vouchers exchanged said breakfast voucher for a square sausage bap then got on the bus up to the cycle course so we could be set at our crossing position

for the day. Today at crossing point 12 on the cycle route.

Starting with the age-graded triathlons, age 20-24 men followed by the women, then at regular intervals between 7am and 12.30pm, we moved through the age groups until final competitors had passed in the male 80+ age group. Put my fitness to shame, so it's time for me to think about getting back to doing something.

We got collected from the course and taken back to the workforce

area for lunch, then back our an hour later ready for the team relay events in the afternoon. Elite teams of 2 men and 2 women,  swimming, cycling and running, then tagging the next runner to do the same course.

When all was done we headed into the spectator grandstand to have some group photos taken.  Hoping to find some online as a memento.

Sunday 12th August
Another early start with a taxi pick-up at 6.30am in readiness for a day of competition, 6 different races covering all age groups and abilities from juniors up to experienced adults and those in between just having a go. Some definitely looked far more experienced than others.

The feet now are in need of some massage,  standing all day with not much respite isn't recommended. Even better would have been to have chosen my footwear more wisely. Another note for the next packing list.

And so another volunteer role ends.
My thanks to Joyce for putting up with me for the past few days as her house guest.
Time to look for the next adventure, but a little matter of a few local events over the next few months to get out of the way first.
Like Arnie's character in Terminator....I'll be back.

Women's Tri

Arranged to meet a couple of other volunteers (James and Carol) to travel out to the Strathclyde Country Park, where our first shift was to be supporting the Women's elite triathlon.

We had a bit of a hiccup to start with when even after asking, we ended up on a slow train and had to change to get to Motherwell,  where we then had another 20 minutes walk. So a 40 minute journey took us over 1 1/4 hours, meaning that we arrived just as our groups were heading out to be placed round the course.
We checked into workforce and received our first gifts and lunch voucher and settled down to wait for our manager to sort us out.
Eventually she drove us herself, out to the course area where we would be, and after a bit of a trek, we ended at the water aid

station for the run part of the course. This happened also to be on the bike course, so we watched the race unfold before us as the cyclists hurtled past.
Then we got ourselves into position ready to hand out water and the runners coming past had to grab from us on the run, with only a short distance to drink or cool down before having to ditch their rubbish. Failure to throw the bottle before a certain point would have meant disqualification.
A few times though they missed grabbing the bottles, knocking them flying onto the ground, so sometimes we got a little wet, and they got a little frustrated.

Eventually once all competitors were through, we packed up our tables and headed back to the workforce area, getting back just in time to see the medal ceremony.
Once back at  workforce,  James and I had a cuppa while waiting for Carol to join us for the trip back to Glasgow.
The journey back was far quicker. We caught a bus to the station then a faster train back to Glasgow. Far more sensible.
Had a wander into George Square to see what was going on as it was set up for activities and cultural entertainment, had a quick look around the merchandise store before heading back to where I was staying with my friend Joyce.
An evening at the pub to unwind with her neighbours finished the day.
And we get to do it all again on Friday for the Men's elite event.

Return to Glasgow 2018

Off again on my travels.
This year for the first time, European Championships in several different sports are taking place at the same time and in the same place , Glasgow (well nearly all, as Athletics takes place in Berlin).
So, here I am in Glasgow, ready to step out onto the Triathlon Course to support the competitors round the course, Elite Men and Women, a relay event and age group event, plus a public triathlon. And there will be me, waving flags and getting plenty  of fresh air around the course.
Today I flew from Southampton to Glasgow, collected my accreditation and uniform, and spent the rest of the day shopping and catching up with friends. Oh and Glasgow Ikea was definitely worth a visit.
Just a few pictures from today.