Olympics

                                 

Since we didn't get tickets to the Olympics, I signed up to be an Olympic volunteer.Well actually I signed up to be a volunteer a year and a half ago. You would think that volunteering is easy. You say you want to volunteer and they let you. Well, that is not the case for the Olympics, here is the process far.

October 2010 - Apply to be a Games Maker (the official name for an Olympic volunteer).  I had to wait until I had an official UK address and visa before I applied.
October 2011 - Interviewed to become a Games Maker
February 2012 - Received an offer to be a Games Maker
March  2012 - Attend Role Specific Training

I interviewed for spot on on the Protocol Team.  The interview was like a really intense job interview. It started out as a group interview, then proceeded to an individual interview. They wanted really specific details of how my previous experience, would help me in my role with Team Protocol. At this point I was still unsure what Team Protocol was and I wasn't sure how counting pills and teaching fit the bill.

I guess my answers were good enough because on February 29th, I received an offer to part of the Protocol Team at the Basketball Arena.  While this isn't the Gymnastics or Synchronized swimming tickets I applied for, I am still pretty excited because the Basketball Arena is located within the Olympic Village.

During the Role Specific Training, I learned that almost 250,000 people applied for a role as a Games Makers and only 70,000 people were selected. We get official uniforms to wear at the Games and we get to keep them afterwards.

I will be the wearing "Purple and Poppy". 

                   
After I attended my Role Specific Training, I finally understood what I would be doing during the Olympics. I will be working with members of the the Olympic Family in three different areas. The Olympic Family are members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), National Olympic Committee (NOC), Heads of State and any other guests deemed to be VIP.  These people don't have tickets to specific events, but they have credentials that allow them to watch the different events. My job will be to greet them when the arrive, check credentials before they enter the VIP area, and answer questions in the hospitality area. Since IOC and NOC members are the only people that can present medals, I also have to escort them to the medal ceremonies.

So if you are watching Olympic Basketball, look for me.