London 2012 blog

Having been here for three months already, the time has just flown by. When I first come to LOCOG I didn’t really know what to expect as this was my first full time job and only just come out of 6th form. My first three month placement was in the Marketing team within the Commercial department. It was a great place to start as I got to know about the brand and how to use it. Everyone made me feel very welcome and were always there if I needed help.

Having finished my first placement, I moved to the Communications Department which so far has been good. It’s always lively over here and things going on and it allows me to get out and engage with the public. I’ve been here for just over a week now and have already had my first outing - the launch of the London Get Set Roadshow in Trafalgar Square on Wednesday.

This was a great place to start as you get to understand how much we want to engage with the public and tell the whole of London this is their Games not just East London’s. You get a real sense that this is everyone’s Games and it is not only a sporting event but so much more.

There were three pods could go to, each a with a different topic. One area covered was the opportunities for the public and the benefits the Games can bring to London. It was so simple to understand - you could really see the benefits for London and how many opportunities there are for people to get involved and be part of the biggest sporting event ever!

The sport pod was great, it was really interactive and fun - rowing machines and a hand-eye coordination test was good and allowed people to feel part of the event. Not only was there equipment to play with but there were also some young hopefuls for the 2012 Olympics along with Jonathan Edwards (Olympian) and Giles Long (Paralympian). I was excited to be able to meet with these people and hear their thoughts on the day.

It was amazing to meet a girl the same age as myself so passionate about sport and really wanting to get more people involved in it. Shanaze Reade (BMX) is my age and was ‘shocked at the amount of people who came along to the Roadshow at such an early start’ she really interacted with the public and answered various questions.

Another person who I admired was the diver Thomas Daley. At thirteen years old he is devoted to competing in the Games in 2012. He also thought the pods were great, because they involved everyone.

Our gold medallist at the Sydney Paralmypic Games Giles Long (Swimmer) also attended the launch which was cool. He was so down to earth and really nice, he wants to promote the Games as much and we do here at LOCOG.

But as I said, the Games is not just a sporting event. So there was also a carnival dancer showing people London that culture is a huge part of the Games. Simone Griffith from masquerade 2000 carnival band was also another star I got to meet. I really felt for her having to dance in next to nothing on a January morning. She however had a different view and felt it a pleasure to be part involved and to bring the carnival influences into the Games.

All in all it was a great day, being able to talk to the stars and really get a feel of what the Games will bring. Bring on the rest of the roadshow. And bring on 2012!