The Olympics and Social Media

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) ‘encourages’ the use of social media  - Blogs, Facebook and Twitter ( and presumably the new up and coming Pinterest) by athletes and accredited persons like myself (aka Games Makers) but has laid down some definite can and cannots in its guidelines.

Failure to follow the guidelines and one’s  accreditation is removed , which in effect expels you from the Games, followed by the possibility of a TakeDown Notice, legal action for damages, and imposition of other sanctions so, one needs to be aware

This is what the IOC rules say what can and cannot be done in social media:

The Cannots

• the posts cannot be for commercial or advertising purpose 
• you cannot use the Olympic's five rings
• cannot post any video and/or audio of any events, competitions or any other activities in any venue
• you cannot discuss any aspect of security and access
• you cannot write a journalist giving comments and opinions

For those of us with the special privilege of working the Athletes’ Village there are, understandably (opinion!?), specific remarks:

Because of the protected environment, there are more restrictive guidelines for theresidential area of the Olympic Village: any posting, blog or tweet must be in a first-person, diary-type format only; photos of the athletes themselves or other accredited persons in the Olympic Village can be posted, but if any other persons appear in the photo, their prior permission must be obtained by the person posting such photo. Video taken from within the residential area can only be for personal use and must not be broadcast, including uploaded to any websites or social media platforms.

The Cans

• One can take and post photographs keeping all of  the above in mind
• One can use social media if you follow these  rules

And  as for the spirit of  the social media postings the IOC says:

Postings, blogs and tweets should at all times conform to the Olympic spirit andfundamental principles of Olympism as contained in the Olympic Charter, be dignified and in good taste, and not contain vulgar or obscene words or images. 

Conclusion

I think (opinion!?) the IOC has achieved the right balance in not banning social media but proposing the sensible personal use of the media to track one's  own  personal  journey at 2012 within the spirit of the Games.

So, in summary no journalism, no Olympic rings but  lots of personal first person writing supported by photographs, with permission where applicable and absolutely no video.

Why I'm So Inspired by The Olympics

I’ve watched this video N times and it never fails to inspire. 

The tension at the anticipation of participation, the release at the action and the madness and joy of victory -  love the weight lifter banging the floor.

These are the insprational ones I recognise....Usain Bolt, Tom Daly, Shanaze Reade, Jesse Owens, Kelly Holmes, Chris Hoy, Daly Thompson, Steve Redgarve, Muhammed Ali, Carl Lewis, Kathy Freeman, Sally Gunnell, Jonathan Edwards, Seb Coe, James Degere, Roger Federer, Michael Johnson, Brian Phelps...all outstanding, committed, inspirational people

If you are in need of a lift watch this full screen and full volume - Be Inspired!

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