The Opening Ceremonies
Last night I worked my first shift, the opening ceremonies, at the Olympics. As a photographer's assistant in the Press Operations department, I was assigned to 'Platform G', meaning the prime time post for photographers and Olympic cameramen who no doubt dropped large sums to be able to shoot from there. I think I had one of the best spots in the house. I had to check each crew's ID and their tickets, including Katie Couric and Bob Costas, who were among those passing though to Platform G. Katie later remarked later on television how scrupulous security had been that night - how her ID had been checked several times just within the stadium. ha ha.
Photographers aren't the most gracious of crowds, most of the time they are all fighting for the exact spot to get the perfect shot. They are tenacious and resolute, and there is little patience for a petty volunteer trying to do her job. I handled it as well as can be expected, naturally resulting in the two groups of photographers - half friends, half foes. Those foes were scary sometimes.
Later that night I was rewarded for managing to control Platform G. My boss asked me to join him in escorting 5 photographers down on the track where the torch would be lit. As we got down there a series of runners were sprinting around the track passing off the flame in the final moments of the world-wide torch relay. The final runner, a former Greek Olympic champion, accepted the flame and proceeded to sprint down the middle of the stadium in the direction of the steps he would ascend to light the Olympic torch, symbolizing the start of the 2004 games. He was heading right at us...
The show itself was beautifully done. Probably the most impressive thing I'll ever witness first hand. By the time it started all the cameramen were in their positions and aside from a few stragglers that bullied me for not speaking French (they thought that would be grounds for me to let them through) I stood and watched everything from 15 yards back with an unimpeded view.
So far, everywhere I've been, the Greeks have been overly generous and helpful. I've been stranded at a bus stop at 2 am and was given a ride home, I've asked for directions and been walked to my destination, I've said I'm American and they talk to me anyway. It's been great! In addition, the family Brian and I are staying with are very kind and they have a beautiful home. Eric and Lacy are the most gracious hosts and have been a God send for us.
Brian, another Peace Corps volunteer that came down here to work, and I rarely see each other. In fact, since I've been in Athens the only time I've spent with him is when he picked me up from the airport. Hopefully we'll have the chance to go out on the town once or twice in the next couple of weeks. I am off now until the track and field events start (Aug 20), which is precisely when Brian's swimming job ends. In a way it works out because there is always one of us here to help baby-sit Ember, Eric and Lacy's 20-month old daughter. It doesn't come close to compensating them for all they've given us, but at least its something we can do to help.
Photographers aren't the most gracious of crowds, most of the time they are all fighting for the exact spot to get the perfect shot. They are tenacious and resolute, and there is little patience for a petty volunteer trying to do her job. I handled it as well as can be expected, naturally resulting in the two groups of photographers - half friends, half foes. Those foes were scary sometimes.
Later that night I was rewarded for managing to control Platform G. My boss asked me to join him in escorting 5 photographers down on the track where the torch would be lit. As we got down there a series of runners were sprinting around the track passing off the flame in the final moments of the world-wide torch relay. The final runner, a former Greek Olympic champion, accepted the flame and proceeded to sprint down the middle of the stadium in the direction of the steps he would ascend to light the Olympic torch, symbolizing the start of the 2004 games. He was heading right at us...
The show itself was beautifully done. Probably the most impressive thing I'll ever witness first hand. By the time it started all the cameramen were in their positions and aside from a few stragglers that bullied me for not speaking French (they thought that would be grounds for me to let them through) I stood and watched everything from 15 yards back with an unimpeded view.
So far, everywhere I've been, the Greeks have been overly generous and helpful. I've been stranded at a bus stop at 2 am and was given a ride home, I've asked for directions and been walked to my destination, I've said I'm American and they talk to me anyway. It's been great! In addition, the family Brian and I are staying with are very kind and they have a beautiful home. Eric and Lacy are the most gracious hosts and have been a God send for us.
Brian, another Peace Corps volunteer that came down here to work, and I rarely see each other. In fact, since I've been in Athens the only time I've spent with him is when he picked me up from the airport. Hopefully we'll have the chance to go out on the town once or twice in the next couple of weeks. I am off now until the track and field events start (Aug 20), which is precisely when Brian's swimming job ends. In a way it works out because there is always one of us here to help baby-sit Ember, Eric and Lacy's 20-month old daughter. It doesn't come close to compensating them for all they've given us, but at least its something we can do to help.
posted by Tricia Bickley at 10:43 AM
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