The Uniform's Unvieiled

I felt the Games Maker's uniform couldn't be a blue blazer with with gold buttons, a themed tie , fawn slacks and brown brogues - the time honoured garb of the British sports officials from fencing to football since sports officialdom began. 2012 is THE chance for Britain to show the world it's moved on from the time such clichés represent.  so, I was pleasantly surprised to see the  ‘practical and stylish’  Games Maker uniform unveiled last week. 


The design has drawn inspiration from the UK's heritage and culture. The blazer's gold buttons are there and the fawn colour of the slacks so all has has not been lost of the traditional sports admin garb. There are other influences: the Grenadier Guards, The Beatles & Sargent Pepper uniforms all can clearly be seen. There are others according to the press release : British Sporting heritage – including the London 1948 Games, Wimbledon Tennis and Henley Regatta. I have yet to see these other influences in the pictures I have seen so far.

The net result is the sports administrators blazer brought up to date, bringing its look into the 21st Century. Remaining British but adding some quirkiness and modernity - functionality taking precedence over formality - reflecting a more relaxed Britain no starched collars or stiff upper lips yet respectful of what they once represented.


The uniform - designed by Adidas - is meant to be 'a visible presence' for the millions of spectators.  Telegraph fashion editor Belinda White agrees as she says the uniform’s  'retina-searing'  colours'  qualities "should certainly help our heroes stand out in a crowd”.The Mirror quotes a joke from  triple-jump legend Jonathan Edwards: “I’ve never seen polyester look so good!

The Telegraph points out “ that [the Games Maker's Uniform] resemble those worn by comic characters Dick Dastardly and Muttley [from Wacky Races]” and “just like on Star Trek, different roles will be signified by different coloured trims. White epaulettes will designate medical staff, green will identify anti-doping folk, and red signifies a team leader.”

Paul Deighton, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) chief executive expects the uniform to be highly adaptable  'It might be hot, cold, wet or dry and people are going to work in it for 10 hours solid, performing a variety of roles from meeting heads of state to waving buses into the right zones. It needs to be incredibly versatile for any body shape and size.'

I’m told Games Makers will start picking up their uniforms from April 2012. Each Games Maker will receive a jacket, polo shirt, trousers, trainers, socks, cap, bag, water bottle and an umbrella.

All looks good (purple's one of favourite colours) and sounds encouraging I'm looking forward to trying mine on but  I’m not so sure about that umbrella, I recall Steve McClaren being dubbed the ‘Wally with the Brolly’!

The Journey Begins

The email subject said it all - Your NOC Services team Olympic Games offer!

I had been waiting since Mar 19 - eight months almost to the day - to hear. In that time I had several emails telling me that the numbers were high and so was the quality of applicants - the process would take time. I might not hear before Febrary 2012 - almost a year between interview and offer!  For an idea of what the interview process was like have a look at Nick Lansley's post.

I had resigned myself to the wait. In fact I was a little disappointed as I knew some volunteers I was advised 'might' be called for the trials to test the venues s I might hear as early as May with the London Marathon as the first trial event. So when the trails – Tennis, Eventing, Pentathlon, Cycling  and many other trail or test events  passed and no offer came, I had not quite given up hope but nearly.

So the offer email was great surprise coming out of the blue as it did, I'm sure the organizers would have said I should have remained patient and optimistic. So I encourage all those I know who have yet to  hear to be patient.

The Role

The Job Title is NOC (National Olympic Committee) Assistant though this may change, the role is described as, quote:

[The NOC Assistant] play[s] a crucial role as the interface between London 2012 and representatives of a National Olympic Committee from a designated country. This may include language support, important administrative tasks, resolving issues or driving your delegation to venues.

Put another way each Country has a Chef De Mission aka Head Person.  Depending on the size of the country's representation at the Games each Chef De Mission  is given a number of NOC assistants.  They  act as general factotums, dogs bodies, gofers  and general all round interface between the Mission and the NOC doing whatever is needed to make it  all go smoothly, successfully and happily.

London 2012 Athlete's Village

The Game Maker is a uniformed – yes a uniform - position, works shifts of eight to 10 hours with  one rest day in a seven-day period. My base will be the Athlete’s Village   during the Games which is quote located in the Olympic Park, within walking distance of the venues – enhancing the experience of athletes and officials unquote

The Training

Training  in Games Maker speak is part of “ presenting”  and MacDonald’s  is doing the presenting -   helping to  attract, select and train the volunteers aka Games Makers. Nearly 250,000 applied, 70,000 are required . There are 5 training days next year from Jan to Feb plus two driving training  sessions.

All sounds great fun, I am really quite excited about the whole adventure and looking forward to keeping you all informed on my GameMaker Journey