Last week Manchester MEN Arena hosted the 9th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) 2008.  Two temporary swimming pools (competition and warm-up) transformed the MEN Arena into a competition venue with 800 of the world’s best swimmers from more than 130 countries competing.   



As a seasoned volunteer and passionate sports fan I knew this was an opportunity not to be missed so I submitted my application to volunteer at the Championships and waited with baited breath. I was delighted when my successful application was confirmed. Arriving the night before the start of the Championships I was eagerly looking forward to finding out what my role would be. I checked into my hotel and then went off in search of my accreditation and uniform. I almost cried with laughter when I was presented with a pair of XXL men’s tracksuit bottoms which covered me from head to foot! The polo shirt was a slightly better fit – only a large. 

I set off for the MEN Arena the following morning deciding to take the tram. Oh how I wish I had walked! - I missed my stop and ended up in the suburbs, although it was along with a couple of swimmers from the Croatian Team! We eventually found our way back to the MEN Arena only a few minutes late. The cold and wet weather did not dampen my excitement. Just entering the venue by the Staff Entrance gave me a thrill as the swimming teams were being dropped off by coaches at this point.   

The Volunteer Management Team and check-in were friendly and welcoming with coffee and croissants on offer. I chatted to other volunteers who were excitedly waiting to meet their teams and find out more about their roles. It was great to share experiences with other volunteers and hear where they had come from.  

I was assigned to work with the Protocol and Ceremonies Team and was thrilled to be asked if I would manage the competition medals. What a responsibility: with 40 Finals this meant a lot of medals! The number of Medal Ceremonies per evening ranged from 5 to 12. My job was to ensure that the correct medals were taken to the Ceremonies Holding Area, the presentation trays were prepared with medals and flowers, taken on to the podium by the models and the correct medals presented to the right medalists! No pressure! As the holding area was situated down by the Warm-up pool it did mean I didn’t get to see any swimming in the competition pool but luckily I did have a big screen to watch all the action not to mention the opportunity to chat to some gorgeous male swimmers.  



With a total of 18 world records broken in five days of competition, the 9th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) 2008, the standard of competition was incredible. It was fantastic to see so many British swimmers winning medals. You certainly knew when a British swimmer was doing well – the spectators almost raised the roof with their cheering.
 
Great Britain exceeded all expectations to finish the Championships fourth in the medals table, behind America, Australia, The Netherlands and Zimbabwe. GB’s final total was three gold, ten silver and eleven bronze medals. 

It was a fabulous five days and I was delighted to win a medal of my own at the end of the Championships. All volunteers were presented with a miniature version of the medals awarded to the swimmers which we will all cherish along with our photos and happy memories. The days were long and work hard but as any volunteer will tell you it is an experience not to be missed. I would highly recommend volunteering – it’s the perfect way to understand just how much is involved in organising such events and meet some wonderful people.