Tuesday 16th October 2012 | INDIGO
4 features Behind the scenes: London 2012 Caroline McGrath on VIPs, volleyball and volunteers
Photograph: Nicoletta Asciuto
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ittle did I know it, but my first shift as a London 2012 Gamesmaker would set the scene for the whole experience. Merely a few hours in, I had already been thanked by Lord Coe for “doing a great job” and had served food to Norwegian royalty. I was based at Horse Guards Parade, where the beach volleyball competition was held. The organisers had literally gone and built a beach in David Cameron’s back garden. We were a stone’s throw away from Buckingham Palace and the view from the stands showcased landmarks such as the London Eye and Big Ben. As a member of the Venue Protocol team, it was my job to look after the VIPs of the Games. These people weren’t sponsors (as was commonly believed inthe media), but mainly members of the Olympic Family - those who organise Olympic representation in their respective countries, and included royal guests, politicians, and Team GB gold medallists. You’re probably wondering if I met Prince Harry. The answer is yes, I was lucky enough to be working when he made his visit. I also met David Beckham on the
Photograph: Karen Sherr
Horse Guards Parade, where mere mortals mingled with royalty for beach volleyball Photograph: Caroline McGrath same night and worked out that Laura Trott and Jason Kenny were in a relationship a few hours before the rest of the world. Not bad for an evening’s work! It still baffles me why a nineteen year-old Mancunian girl was let loose in such a role. Essentially, the most important part was to offer excellent customer service. I have worked in retail before and being a friendly, personable representative of London 2012 was not particularly hard given that the clients were so nice. Indeed, meeting the most high-profile people of the Games quickly became the norm. One of my friends was using her French skills whilst chatting with a friendly gentleman. He explained that he was from Monaco and then it dawned upon her: she was in conversation with Prince Albert of Monaco, blissfully unaware of his status. Namedropping aside, in a role that focused so much on people, it was my fellow Gamesmakers that made the whole experience memorable. I genuinely believe that the world would
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be a happier place if every manager was like my bosses.
You’re probably wondering if I met Prince Harry...
It was nice to work with people of a variety of different ages and our team was truly international, given that some were providing interpretation services. I have group photos in which every single volunteer is a different nationality. As a Modern Languages student and self-confessed xenophile, I was in heaven. In my opinion, London’s multiculturalism was most definitely a factor in the success of these Olympics. Most teams playing could count on a fellow countryman to be watching them at Horse Guards, willing them to succeed. Witnessing crowds re-
ally getting behind the athletes regardless of race or nationality was powerful. It defined what the Olympic movement stands for and brought people together through sport, irrespective of their heritage. As a volunteer, my salary was the experience. Away from the seriousness of the Olympic Park, we had music booming and dancers during the interval. The infectious atmosphere certainly made amends for the unflattering purple uniform. The sport itself certainly didn’t disappoint either. I challenge anybody who believes that beach volleyball is unworthy of the Olympics to try running around on sand, whilst maintaining pinpoint precision in handling the ball. At times London seemed like a Rio street carnival, particularly unusual in a city where the busy rush hour of an ordinary day is often a reserved and quiet affair. Even commuters on the tube were entering unchartered territories by acknowledging one another!
The first day I wore my uniform, a stranger came up to me on the street to wish me well. It is a sad fact, but at any other time I probably would have assumed she was crazy for speaking to me. Given the amount of scepticism there was in the months leading up to the Games, the way in which the Olympics gripped the nation is slightly ironic. I hate to say I told you so, but I always knew the whole thing would be a stirring success. Why else would I have bothered with expensive trips to London for training? Everyone in Britain was glued to their television screens, and Gamesmakers were given the opportunity to be first-hand witnesses to the excitement and victories of London 2012. That’s certainly something you can’t put a price on.
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For more on volunteering antics at the Olympics, go to palatinate.org.uk