Here's the third journal entry of my time as an Olympic volunteer in Salt Lake in 2002. Enjoy!
Monday, February 11, 2002
Today’s event was the men’s 500 meters. My shift started at 9:30 and was over at 4. The weather today was beautiful! It was sunny, a bit breezy and clear.
I chose to work outside today in the Sector Plaza. My first post was at the staff compound entry off the plaza. It’s not only for staff, but also for media. I just had to check to make sure they were properly accredited. It was easy. When the crowd started to come in, I went over in front of the entrance to greet people as they went in and to answer any questions. I got my picture taken with a family from Ohio. It cracks me up!
After my lunch break, my assignment was to hang out on the sidewalk. That was super easy, as you can imagine. There was an intermission, and lots of people came out to enjoy the sunshine, so I got to talk to a lot of folks since I was standing near the portalet. I talked to one guy from Detroit for awhile. He was nice.
The races today only lasted an hour and a half hours. It doesn’t take the men much longer than 40 seconds to go 500 meters. It’s the only race in speed skating that has two heats. The finals will be tomorrow. At the end of this day, the USA was in first, third and sixth place. The guy in first is Casey FitzRandolph. He broke the Olympic record. He went around in like 34 seconds or something. Maybe less, I don’t remember. I only saw it on TV! The interesting thing related to FitzRandolph is that his mom was hanging out with Doug, my sector leader, this morning. She wanted to go back to the staff compound for some reason, but of course she didn’t have the right credentials. (I didn’t turn her away, she didn’t even try to get by me.) Doug took her back there and brought her back, and the whole way she was telling everyone that her son, Casey FitzRandolph, was skating today. It was cute.
As people left the venue, I stood in the sun and thanked them for coming. There were many people who thanked me for volunteering, and commented on what a good job we all were doing and how friendly we all are. Several people commented to me what a great Olympics Salt Lake was hosting. So far so good!
I should comment on the meal breaks. They issue us a lunch ticket every day. In the break tent, there is always coffee and hot chocolate available, and usually some apples and chips or something. They also always have water available. At lunch, they have quarter pound certified Angus beef hot dogs and chili every day, then they have a soup and a couple of main entrees that differ each day. Today the soup was vegetable beef, and the entrees were beef and macaroni and spinach soufflé. The soufflé looked hideous, but I was told it was pretty good. The beef and mac was ok, but not delicious. The dogs are always good. :0) We also get a Coke product. Yahoo for Coke!
The break tent is a big tent with lots of tables and chairs. Everyone takes their breaks there: military, police, volunteers and entertainment. Oh yes, the entertainment! Each day there are acts that perform out in the plaza. There was been baton-twirling girls, an acapella group from Belgium (yesterday), clowns, the Navy Band, and the Oddlympians (I’m not sure what they did). Today there was a couple dressed as a prince and princess. I have no idea what their deal was. The Dutch liked them though.
Anyway, everyone eats there. The military does not get to eat the hot dogs and soup. They eat MREs. I don’t know why.
I liked today’s assignment. I’ve heard horror stories from some of the other volunteers about their assignments. I think I want to avoid the media mag & bag for as long as I can. Apparently they are not very friendly. Some volunteers have had a rough time when seating the dignitaries. They like to be recognized and so do not like to have to show their credentials. I really like being out with the spectators. They are all happy to be there and everything is just a part of their Olympic experience. It’s great!
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