SKÅL-UK OLYMPIC GAMES MAKERS!
Two of our Skalleagues, Paul Follows and Dieter Sclieben were Volunteers aka Games Makers at the very recent amazing Olympic Games. Below are two reflections on the time spent at this historic occasion.
PAUL FOLLOWS: (full version will appear in Skal International Publication later)
The atmosphere of everything to do with the Games has been electric. Games makers, officials, athletes and the public have been on a high. What struck me was how many retired people took up the challenge to get involved. This was commented on by a number of people I chauffeured around. They like me wanted to show London off at its best. The transport issues and roads which were feared would be congested did not happen, it all worked very well. As a driver it was a pleasure taking many athletes from the airport and showing them Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, London Eye and the Tower of London on their way to the Athletes Village.
My ten hour shifts started at various times 6 am 8 am 2pm and 5pmand finishing between 4pm and 3am. There were many hilariously funny moments that I have now in my stores repertoire.
The these “Inspire a Generation” d just that. The Olympic park was filled with excited children, dragging their parents along to see all that was going on. The sell-out Olympics produced a urge of ticket sales for the Paralympics with over one million visitors to the park in just five days. All wanted to experience the event before it closed.
DIETER SCHLIEBEN (edited report from Southampton newsletter)
My summer was quite unreal and I blame not the weather but the Olympic Games.
It was terrific, great and really cool. The energy in the Olympic Park was unreal. It was an incredible feeling to be part of such an unforgettable experience. The opportunity only comes once in a lifetime. The great show on earth? actually it was out of this world! It was so mega that even Queen got carried away in the opening show
The Games did bring us all together, on a National and international level. Games Makers, the people volunteering were chosen at random from all corners of the UK, from all walks of life, all ages, all shapes and sizes, absolutely everybody, all abilities, everyone was represented
At the Opening Night the entertainers did their very best. After that it was up to the Athletes to be their best. And of course thousands of volunteers have done our bit to make a difference. We made certain that the 2012 Games are being remembered by more than 2 million spectators as the friendliest, most British and most environmentally clean Games
The Volunteers were the great asset of the Games. The spirit of the Games has proved infectious. Spectators have had the time of their lives, but will the Games become a lift changing experience? I say thank you for the memory and I hope to see you in Rio in 2016!
