Olympic Games Maker; Selection Process
London 2012 Olympic Games
By Bryan Little
Olympic Games Maker
The organising committee of the 2012 Olympic Games estimated they would need 70,000 volunteers to help make sure that the London 2012 Olympic Games would go off without a hitch; to that end they advertised for people to volunteer as Olympic Games Makers.
What is an Olympic Games Maker?
A Games Maker is a person who is prepared to give up their time voluntarily to perform various tasks involved with the smooth running of the Olympic competitions. This ranges from athletic races in the main Olympic stadium, swimming events in the Olympic pool, cycling pursuits in the velodrome, sailing races in Weymouth, white-water canoeing and kayaking in Broxbourne, etc.
Why apply to become an Olympic Games Maker?
Well the Olympic Games only come around like Haley’s Comet …once in a while. The previous time they were held in the United Kingdom was 1908 (White City) and 1948 (Wembley). That means it is 64 years since we last hosted the games …entitled the Austerity Games. With more emerging nations around the world it may be another 100 years before we get the opportunity again.
When do they need an Olympic Games Maker
The commitment of an Olympic Games Maker involves giving up your time for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. This would involve making yourself available during the months of July, August and September 2012.
How do you become an Olympic Games Maker?
I would have to jump through a series of hoops, to make sure I was the correct profile for an Olympic Games Maker. This all started when I filled in the application form online, back in September 2010. I answered the questions required of me and submitted the form. All I had to do was sit back and …wait.
Invitation
Eventually, I received an email message inviting me to attend a technology selection event. The invitation was for Saturday 12 February 2011 at the ExCel Exhibition Centre in the heart of London Docklands. I was informed that the process would start at 12 noon and last for 1½ hours.
Journey
It seems such a long time ago but this is what I remember about the day itself, the journey by public transport and the interview in a suite of the Excel Exhibition Centre. I set off in good time, a maxim I have always employed when it comes to attending interviews. I got the over ground train from Hertford East railway station. At Tottenham Hale station I waited for the connecting train to Stratford. I changed onto to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) for the final leg of my journey.
ExCeL Exhibition Centre
I alighted from the driverless train at Customs House (for ExCel Centre) and followed the signs for the Olympic Selection Event. It was just like an old-fashioned paper trail. ExCeL In my ignorance, I thought the whole of the ExCel Exhibition Centre had been turned over to the Olympic Organising Committee. In fact, they had rented a small subterranean section of the building for the purposes of the cross-examinations. In fact it was so small that they could not cope with anybody arriving early; there was no waiting area. I was sent away and told to come back at the appointed time.
Waiting
Well those of you who know the area, there is not much to see or do in the local vicinity. I retraced my steps and found a Costa Coffee outlet inside the ExCel Exhibition Centre. After a recovery shot of caffeine, I made my way to the edge of London’s Victoria Dock. It was fascinating to watch the people disappear into the lift at ground level, only to be disgorged at the top of a glass elevator …just like Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.
Booking-in
Five minutes before my allotted slot, I returned to the interview suite (I was taught never to be late for an interview). This time I was admitted and ushered to join the end of the queue for registration. After checking my documents to prove who I was, I was handed a white wristband for the duration of the process. I then proceeded to a row of desks that were hooked up to a bank of webcams; my picture was recorded for posterity. Since I was one of the first in the queue, I had to wait a long time until all the other applicants were all processed.
Technology
In the waiting area was a number of display boards supposed to stimulate and inform. They told you what to expect to encounter by being enrolled into the Technology group. The boards were used to describe the various technical roles that would be required to make the organisation of the Olympic Games run as smoothly as clockwork. People who had been invited to the selection process that day were somehow involved in Information Technology (IT).
Cinema
We were all shepherded into the cinema complex to experience a double feature. The first was an inspirational address from the Chairman of the 2012 Olympic Organising Committee (Lord Coe), expressing how excited he was that we had applied. The latter was a whimsical presentation by Eddie Izzard that was supposed to relax you before the interview stage.
Interviews
When we exited from the movie theatre, we were allocated to an interview cubicle made up of the shapes of the London 2012 logo. I was interviewed by a slip of a girl whose job it was to interrogate me on my views and solicit my opinions. She told me to carry on talking until she told me to stop; …something I have no problem with doing.
Scenarios
I was presented with a number of scenarios. I was then prompted to tell her what I would do in the situation and to give examples of how I had performed in my job or private life. My answers were committed to paper; inside the box, under the box, at the top of the page, down the side …wherever there was space available.
The End
After what appeared to be an eternity (but in reality it was between 30-40 mins) the interview process came to an end. I was one of the last people to leave; most of the booths were devoid of people. I don’t know if this was a good thing or not; …perhaps I talked too much!
Memorabilia
On my way out, they gave me the opportunity to purchase over-priced London 2012 Olympic memorabilia for posterity. Outside, I took a long breath of fresh air …at least that was over. The result of the experience was in the lap of the Gods.
Waiting
Having performed like a circus dog, I was patted on the head and told to go away and wait patiently. However, I did not expect to have to wait as long as I did. The only good news that came my way was in the form of an email message at the end of December 2011. The message told me to be patient and just because nobody had offered me a role, I should not be despondent.
Offer
In just over a year (a year and a day to be precise), I received an email message offering me a role. Having waited such a long time, I was not going to procrastinate. I accepted the offer of being in the print distribution team at the Olympic Stadium. Apparently, this involves keeping a bank of laser printers working round the clock; topped up with A4 paper, clearing paper jams and refilling them with replacement cartridges as required.
Like Hailey’s comet, the opportunity arrived and I was offered the chance to get involved with the organisation of the greatest show on earth …the London 2012 Olympic Games.
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