Medals Galore

Today was men's medal matches day at the seated Volleyball at North Paris Arena.

A later start as there were to be only 2 matches.

I had thought about going out earlier for some breakfast in a cafe, but by the time I'd motivated myself to go, I decided just to take a few photos of the hotel and more of the station, then get another of the cheese and ham "sandwich" and a hot chocolate, on the platform. (My room is the one next to the small red awning over the hotel entrance, with flags outside under the letters EL of the hotel. The metro entrance is to the far left of the picture, just visible, so I've not far to go to get my train in the morning)

There was a young man there trying to persuade the man in front of me to buy him a sandwich, he refused. He approached me and I initially feigned that I didn't understand, but then I thought hey what the heck, so I asked which one he wanted. It wasn't much if someone was genuinely hungry. After I paid, I turned to look for him and saw him sat with someone on the edge of the steps eating. He looked at me and I nodded back to him in return. If genuine I managed to help a little, and if just trying it on, well to be fair, it was less than a fiver.

Got onto the RER B and ended up getting to the stadium early so had time to sit in the volunteer room with the rest of the team. 😀

We found we hadn't been allocated roles for today, so we just all got stuck into doing whatever was needed. 

A delivery of fresh towels arrived, but they'd come by car so weren't taking the dirty ones away. To make room in our storage room, we moved the big full cage of dirty, smelly towels into a different storage area and Liz and I got folding the rest of the dirty towels so they'd take up less room, and when the new towels arrived, we used their plastic bag covers to stack the old towels in, so they too could go to storage.

We started to take some of the posters off the warm up room walls to roll them up, so they're then ready to be given to families and athletes. Many of them had been stuck with such powerful glue squares that we nearly ended up ripping many of them. 

Ines, our team leader, brought in some Slovenia button badges that her team insisted she gave to us all. Nice, as it's not really a work area we've had much contact for pin collecting. 

Our first and only game on our shift today, was the Bronze medal match between Egypt and Germany. Egypt were the team I had the accidental Team Liaison role with at the beginning.  Cheering them on from behind the scenes I was delighted that Egypt won in a very exciting 5 set match, 3 sets to 2.

I went to congratulate them and one of their managers gave me a great big sweaty hug and a kiss on the cheek and said thank you. 😊 I'm sure I helped them, though obviously not enough to get them to the Gold match.

The Iran and Bosnia teams arrived around the same time as the 2nd shift people. So Liz and I headed off to grab a drink and some food. Except they'd run out of chips. Pah!

Bought a few bits at the store on site and I managed to get a sitting volleyball t- shirt. Then I went to check on the results board, and noticed the Bronze results hadn't been put up, so I scuttled back to the athletes lounge and offered to do it. I'll check in the morning to see if the Gold match has been added as we know that Iran beat Bosnia by 3 sets to 1.

We did think about trying to watch the gold medal match but it didn’t feel right to stay on the courtside, nor to be in the athletes lounge, as Egypt athletes were using it before the medal ceremony.

So, we decided that we might as well head back to our respective digs and caught the RER which again was a faster train, getting back to Gare du Nord much quicker.

Once back didn't venture out again. In for the night, though not so early to sleep as a call from Whendie meant we spent ages chatting and catching up.

Last shift at the Volleyball on Saturday. Womens medal matches. At least another later start.

Info everywhere

Today started wet. And then wetter. The rain was not letting up at all.

Thankfully my hotel is about 20 metres from the metro entrance, and there's a cafe next door so I can almost make it there under the awnings that reach out over the pavement.

The RER B was showing delayed, so I decided today I'd have some breakfast. A hot chocolate and a demi-baguette with ham and cheese.

I saw a fellow volunteer, Claire, and we waited together then boarded the train together. It was pretty crowded.

A few stops along the line, we approached a station and the anouncement came that we would not be stopping there, then the next station the same, then we stopped at the next one and the announcement was we would be waiting there. 

Then came a French announcement that the train was going no further so we were advised to switch to another platform for the next train. But that didn't fare much better.

Eventually we limped into the station and passengers were advised that this train was going no further. Now for those who needed to continue on to the airport that would not have been welcome news. We,  however, were fine.

Almost everyone arrived late this morning and I discovered I was to be at the Sport information desk based in the Athlete lounge. Greeting athletes, answering any questions, but most importantly updating the results board at the public entrance.

This I had to do twice, at the end of each of the Men's matches. The responsibility of sticking the right name in the right place was huge. But pretty sure it was correct. (I only checked it several times).

This evening the womens matches were on so I hope that my counterpart for the late shift was equally as accurate.

Tomorrow the Men's Bronze and Gold matches take place and on Saturday it is the turn of the women.

Things are slowly coming towards a close, and I received an email and message today that I've been chosen to be part of the closing ceremony. Well to be present and welcoming I think rather than actually part of it. So get Channel 4 on, on Sunday evening, and see if you can spot me. 😉 

It's going to be a very long day so I hope I can stay awake as I'm at the marathon early that morning.

As the new team had arrived we set off 'home" (how quickly it becomes that eh?). The rain had stopped but the train was still packed.

Arrived back at the hotel before 5pm and set my phone to charge before I decided to head out to the games Megastore and buy a few goodies.

With accreditation in my bag to get a 20% discount (off all shop items except those already reduced items which saved me 18 euros).

I bought a few bits and in spite of getting a prepaid visa specially for it, I used cash as it meant I got through the tills much quicker.

The shop is right on the Champs Elysees, very near to Place de la Concorde. I had a quick look in the Samsung store across the road (waste of time that was) and had a bit of fun in the Alibaba Shop for a couple of pins. Then I decided to wait to see the balloon/flame go up. But this time from the other side. But as it wasn't due to go until after 9pm I had a good 3/4 hour wait.

Not sure it was worth it as my phone's photos aren't that great, but the atmosphere in the Champs Elysees was fab.

The road being closed, there were many wandering along it, but the state of the road makes me wonder why we complain about ours at home. 

(Can just see the flame...)

Then it got dark

Time to head back and sleep. 

Back aches, feet ache, 13700 steps done today and lunch wasn't even worth a mention. I'll be back skinny as a rake (haha 🤣)

Start later for Friday and Saturday as there are only two games so maybe I'll be able to get some cafe breakfast. We shall see eh?

Just Chilling

Another day at the North Paris Arena for the Sitting volleyball and tasks for today were as "Changing Room" monitor. The delights of this particular role are to ensure that before the teams arrive, there are fresh towels in the room, the team signs are on the door and the doors are unlocked when the teams arrive and locked when they go to the court. Then opened again when they return. Once they leave, we remove the used towels and note those used on a chart in the storage room. We then top up and refill for the next teams coming in.

Water and towels are the things we count out and in (if not used) so we can keep track on numbers and make sure we've enough for future matches.

It's all exciting stuff, well not really, but it is essential and it's part of the back stage mechanics that keeps everything ticking over, even if at times it feels a little bit inconsequential.

Today in the Arena we had matches to place 7th and 8th teams, and this afternoon 5th and 6th teams. 

This morning we had both French teams, male and female. Competing against Ukraine and Rwanda respectively, with both French teams losing in 3 sets, though they both played well, and, I managed to see some on the TV in the athletes lounge.

Tomorrow we have the remaining 4 teams playing for the semi finals to determine bronze and gold medal matches which take place on Friday and Saturday. Being on the earlier shift we get to work for the Bronze matches but may possibly be able to stay for the Gold matches. Or find tickets to watch. I've been here since they started it would be a shame not to see them finish.

At the end of shift (crossover point of the 2 shifts) we had some on court, team photos taken. As many as were there working on FoP and Athlete Services, then just each separately. It's a big team keeping it all going.

Too tired to go anywhere else I decided just to head back to my hotel, via a small carrefour local, to get some water, coca-cola and crisps, and at the hotel bought another couple of the beers.

I was in for the night, just chilling and relaxing. Tomorrow maybe I'll head out after shift, but for tonight I'm trying to recoup some energy.

Have a lovely new bag too. 😀

3 more days to go at the Arena and then a final day helping at the marathon. The countdown is on.

For tonight I am just chilling, watching some of the Paralympic sport on the French TV, so bonus of improving my listening and comprehension in French. Every small thing helps 😀

The Balloon goes up

For once I may just do a brief post... yeah, whatever... 😉

Back to the North Paris Arena today for another Sitting Volleyball shift. 

We very efficiently sorted everything we needed to do, took a delivery of clean towels and made sure everything was ready for the teams on the warm up courts and on field of play.

2 matches taking place, men's group match between Germany and Iran and women's match between USA and Italy. (Winners Iran and USA respectively each in 3 sets)

We did our usual making sure the courts were topped with water and towels for the following games, set up the warm up rooms and even got to watch a bit of the matches on the TV in the athletes lounge. Oooh and the essential mascot picture. 😀

Today's lunch was cool hot food 🙄 stated as pasta bolognaise but very little sauce on it, but edible.

After shift, arranged to meet with a volunteer friend, Ruth. We had shared accommodation when we were on the Gold Coast in 2018, so was great to catch up and natter over a drink and a light bite. She has been working for the Games here for the past 2 years and her contract ends almost at the end of this month. 

After eating, I was heading to see the Olympic flame and its balloon, which rises into the sky at sunset. Tonight 8.30pm. So I headed off to meet up with Whendie and Nathalie, while Ruth had a quick stop off at the Samsung Shop on the way home.

We walked to the viewing point in the Tuileries, along with hundreds of others to watch the balloon rise. I still feel they should make people stand in height order so tall people can't obstruct views.

The balloon rose, very impressive. Its "flame" consists of LED lights and high pressure water dispensers, that simulates flames and smoke giving the very realistic flame effect.

We also saw the lights on the Eiffel Tower twinkling.

From here we headed to find "coca-cola house" near Invalides, only to discover it was only there for the Olympics. We were directed to bars along the river as an alternative, but I was starting to tire by now so decided to head back. 

My phone battery died, but luckily I had checked out the route I needed before it went. I really should have brought my power pack with me. Another thing on my list I'd forgotten. 

Maybe I'll see if I can get to the Samsung place tomorrow to see if they've anything that might help. Also a trip to the megastore to get a few bits before they run out of the good stuff.

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 😉

A very long day

When I applied to become a volunteer for Paris 2024, I filled out the application, like everyone else, then sat back to wait. The process is such that normally if they think you'll fit the team/event, you get an offer for an interview, then if you answer their questions as they expect/like/want they may allocate a role.

I don't remember having an interview for this event, but I was offered a role for Road Events Team. The dates were 30th August to 3rd Sept. Then 8th.

When my shifts came through it was for only 1st and 8th September. I spent ages agonising about whether 2 days in Paris at a costly time was worth it just to be involved.

A view of a last minute post (on a facebook volunteer group) asking for help at the Sitting volleyball made me email and ask if I could indeed help, and I was offered 8 shifts at North Paris Arena.

Time then to book flight and accommodation, well, you know the story so far.

This morning at 4am, there was a message to say the Para Tri (my one of two original shifts) had been postponed until tomorrow.

I suspect this is because it rained in the last few days so the Seine may not be at its best for the swim. So, my shift disappears, I am not free on Monday or Tuesday to help.

I am so happy I took up the sitting volleyball role.

Now, what to do with my free day...

...well I did lots of walking...again.

Decided I would head down to Notre Dame and work my way back from there, planned to maybe visit the Louvre, try and see the Paralympic flame. Check out where Invalides was for my archery visit tomorrow and see where the mood took me.

I headed to Notre Dame, they are still rebuilding after the fire but are hoping to have completed by December.

I wandered around the outside, crossing the river to get a different view decided to head towards the Louvre and I passed a Memorial garden and crypt that I decided to stop and look round.

It was a memorial to those who had been sent to the concentration and death camps during the 2nd World War. It was incredibly evocative with video testimonials included. Maps of all the camps, and their purpose, lights to commemorate those lost. Certainly thought provoking.

As I was leaving the memorial, I received a call from friends John and Lesley who had been in Paris for the weekend, having been lucky enough to win it in a competition. They'd seen athletics, received some great memorabilia and had a great time, also bumping into people they knew.

A quick change of plan for me, as I decided to head and meet them for lunch before they set off home again. (Via Eastern Airlines...yup the same that cancelled our flight).

I hopped on a metro and headed to where they'd suggested meeting. Sadly the restaurant they'd mentioned was closed, but after attempting to get a table at one, that advised they didn't have 2 of the 3 main meals on their menu, we found a lovely Italian not far, where we feasted on pizza.

John and Lesley needed to head back to their hotel to collect luggage and as we headed back to the metro, we bumped into the owner of the original restaurant/bar where we were going to meet. 

The owner, delighted to see John, disappeared inside the restaurant to grab him some glasses he'd put aside for him and he gave us all a bottle of water before we headed off again to the metro. 

Before heading back to their hotel we took a few pictures of the Eiffel Tower and the Liberty statue at the end of Swan Island, one of 6, in Paris.

(Me taking a picture of Lesley taking a picture of John who was taking a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower 😀)

A little bit of fun. 

They grabbed their bags and we headed our separate ways, them to the airport and me for another wander. Maybe to head back to my original plan.

I passed the Eiffel Tower where a lady stopped me to ask if I knew where she could find the arena to watch the blind football. At the same time a lady stopped to interview her, so I looked it up to make sure it was the stadium behind the Eiffel Tower at Champs de Mars. (And not even in a volunteer uniform)

I continued past the Pont Alexander III and National Assembly where I should have been this morning, and also found where to go for my archery session tomorrow at Invalides.

Getting increasingly tired now I headed towards Place de la Concorde, forgetting it was all screened off, so I missed seeing it up close. Also didn't see the flame.

I decided that maybe this was the sign to head back, my phone dying too. I did see the official Olympic shop and realised I didn't have my accreditation on me, so a quick look round and I will come back. 

Likewise the Samsung shop on the other side, my phone by now about to die, I quickly looked to see what metro I needed to get back to the hotel and headed off to find it before I lost battery. 

Finally back at the hotel, I bought 2 beers from the hotel fridge, one just wasn't enough yesterday.

After last night's bad sleep and early shift cancellation, I think I need an early night before heading to the athletics in the morning, Archery in the afternoon, and possibly the Last Leg in the evening. Another long day.

Holidays are exhausting. 😀