In today's post, I am back in volunteer mode, and I got the inside assignment I wanted! There's a couple of pics included with this post. The photo quality isn't very good because these are scans from actual real photo prints from my film camera. And, of course, the prints are ten years old! Also in this post, I talk about a close encounter with an Olympic gold medalist, Bonnie Blair. For you youngsters, Bonnie Blair was a gold medalist in speed skating in Calgary and Albertville.
Saturday, February 16, 2002
Back to work today! I was determined to work inside today so I could watch a little of the men’s 1000 meters. The weather today was gorgeous, so it wasn’t hard to get people to go outside. It worked out well for me. I have to say here that Wendy, the girl who deploys us, was annoying today. They needed a couple of people for an outside post in Sector Bravo. Wendy looked around and said something about people needing to go outside especially if they had worked outside two days or less. When the people did go, she said, “Well, at least some people are honest,” implying that the people left were dishonest about the time they had spent outside. I just shook my head, but someone called her on it. She said she was just joking, but I didn’t appreciate her humor on that.
I was able to work where I wanted, Sector South. I started out on the concourse, greeting people as they came in, and directing them to their sections, the restrooms, the store, whatever. That was fun. A man who came in early said something really nice. He said, “You guys are all so friendly! You’re really making a name for this place because you guys are so great!” I thought that was pretty cool.
After my lunch break, I went up to an usher spot. I didn’t really want to be an usher, but it was pretty cool, and I got to see most all the races! There were 22 pairs of skaters today. They had 11 pairs, then an intermission during which the zambonis did their work, then 11 more pairs. The last 11 pairs were the big guys, the fastest skaters, including the Japanese, the Americans, the Canadians and the Dutch.
My area was sections 124, 125 & 126. It was pretty easy. I just had to keep people back for a second if they came up at the start of the race. It has to be quiet when they start. Everyone was very cool about that. I let people come up and take a photo during the race or stand at the front for one race as long as they didn’t block anyone’s view. Sitting in my section was gold medalist Bonnie Blair and her son. WOW!! I saw her right up close because her little boy came over by me to say hi to someone, and Bonnie came to get him. Also in my section was Brooks or Dunn, I don’t know which one. The tall blond one. Casey FitzRandolph’s family was also in my section. He didn’t medal today.Saturday, February 16, 2002
Back to work today! I was determined to work inside today so I could watch a little of the men’s 1000 meters. The weather today was gorgeous, so it wasn’t hard to get people to go outside. It worked out well for me. I have to say here that Wendy, the girl who deploys us, was annoying today. They needed a couple of people for an outside post in Sector Bravo. Wendy looked around and said something about people needing to go outside especially if they had worked outside two days or less. When the people did go, she said, “Well, at least some people are honest,” implying that the people left were dishonest about the time they had spent outside. I just shook my head, but someone called her on it. She said she was just joking, but I didn’t appreciate her humor on that.
I was able to work where I wanted, Sector South. I started out on the concourse, greeting people as they came in, and directing them to their sections, the restrooms, the store, whatever. That was fun. A man who came in early said something really nice. He said, “You guys are all so friendly! You’re really making a name for this place because you guys are so great!” I thought that was pretty cool.
After my lunch break, I went up to an usher spot. I didn’t really want to be an usher, but it was pretty cool, and I got to see most all the races! There were 22 pairs of skaters today. They had 11 pairs, then an intermission during which the zambonis did their work, then 11 more pairs. The last 11 pairs were the big guys, the fastest skaters, including the Japanese, the Americans, the Canadians and the Dutch.
The races were very good. I was there to see the world record get set by a Dutch skater, Gerard Van Velde. He won the gold. Another Dutch guy, Jan Bos, won the silver, and American Joey Cheek won the bronze.
A Dutch band was part of the entertainment today. After the flower ceremony and during the victory lap, the band was playing and the Dutch fans had a conga line going through the stands. It was very raucous. Holland House is definitely the place to be tonight!
I finally got a look at the merchandise. There are a couple of things I wouldn’t mind having. After having given it careful consideration, I’ve decided to buy the stuff I want because it is Olympic memorabilia and I won’t have the chance to get it again. Tomorrow I shall purchase!
Tomorrow I have an afternoon shift, 1:30 to 9 pm. It may snow. That’s ok. I think I will head back out to entry, or maybe give Plaza another shot. I don’t mind opening doors for people. I might try Sector Admin again next week too. Only five more days of competition at the Oval now.
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