There are a few words in my vocabulary I rarely use, usually for one of these two reasons: Either, I don’t like them or I don’t find them appropriate. In this particular case both is true, and yet, I have to use this single word that puts it all into a nutshell: “AWESOME”.
Here, at the Headquarters of adidas Group, we are quite fortunate when it comes to trips to go to sports events thanks to our so-called company sports program. When the last issue came out in February, I believe many of my colleagues took out their personal bucket lists and found one particular item on them: “Watch the Olympic Games live.” After a short application process twenty-four employees got lucky and all of a sudden August 1st was there – our journey began and would experience five days filled with Olympic events and the idea of true spirituality at the Olympic Games. I was lucky number twenty-five, being sent along with the group to cover the trip for our adidas Group intranet, writing a daily blog about our experiences. Here is how I experienced London 2012 as a spectator.
Olympic Spirit in the air
Entering the Olympic Park for the very first time
When we entered our first Olympic venue that is part of the Wembley Stadium to watch badminton, even the most talkative persons of the group were holding their breath for a minute. We were there, at London 2012. Although Badminton seems to be for most of us Central European average Janes and Joes not the most exciting sport to watch. Yet, the entire atmosphere, the masses of people making their way to the stadium, the all in adidas gear dressed up volunteers directing our path through the gates, the air, everything seemed to exhale an Olympic spirit that none of us remained unaffected by. And although most of us weren’t too familiar with the rules for the competition, just being there was enough to give us the first goose bumps in these five days.
Team GB is taking the stage
The second day was even more impressive. After spending the morning at the Canoe competition a little outside of London’s downtown in the Lee Valley Water Centre we also got to witness the first Olympic medal ceremonies of our lives. And this was also the first time we experienced the stardom of Team GB, supported by their fans. The stands were shaking from the applause and the songs of support, the air crisp with pride. It is hard to put into words what happens when thousands of people all of a sudden raise their voices and their hands to carry the athletes over the finish line. And then Team GB even took the Gold and Silver medals for Men’s Canoe Double home. The national anthem is still in my ears…
Getting ready for the canoe competition
Furthermore, it was also our first encounter with real Olympic athletes. Next to us sat Mark Hutton who competed for Great Britain in the luge team in the Winter Olympic Games 2002 and 2006. I have to confess, I didn’t recognize him but I noticed his ring that displayed the Olympic rings and I thought to myself: “What a nice souvenir!” So we got into a conversation and he told me a little bit of his story that only a true Olympian can tell.
The second part of the day was taking place in the Olympic Park. I walked in with two colleagues and we were hardly able to move. Not because it was so busy: We were so stunned by the facilities, and the atmosphere. One of them showed me her arm asking: “Can you see my goose bumps?” It is absolutely breath-taking the first time you walk into the venue. Until you’ve entered the Olympic Park you haven’t realized you are actually here: at London 2012.
Witnessing an Olympic Record
The US "Dream Team" during their 156-73 record victory over Nigeria
And this was also the night we witnessed our first Olympic record: The US basketball team busted the highest score ever played in an Olympic basketball game. I have seen NBA games before, when I was on vacation in the US, but this was simply incredible. Hardly anyone of our group could take down their cameras and smart phones trying to catch the next three-point shot or slam dunk. Poor Nigeria simply got smashed although they fought well. But seeing the US team in action is magic. When we walked out of the basketball arena we hardly felt the cold, all of us still feeling the rush of adrenaline in our veins.
Friday was off for most of the group, so most spread out over the city, finding the best spots for public viewing or simply enjoying the city. I had the chance to take two colleagues with me into the adidas Media Lounge next to the Olympic Park, where you can also find the adidas athletes’ services. It was very special for me to see these two, one working in Corporate Procurement, one in Finance, making their first PR experience, seeing press interview with athlete Mary Keitany, sitting in the photo booth that David Beckham was surprising people in just a week ago.
Some of our colleagues touching Karl Schulze's gold medal
That night, also a few of the group had tickets for the beach volleyball competition and some others for the German House, where rower Karl Schulze even let them touch his gold medal.
When you think, this is hard to top, I would agree. But, I was taught better on Saturday. After spending the morning in the Fencing venue where one of us even managed to get behind the stage because he happened to know somebody on the Korean national team (he is Korean himself). You see, every one found a way to make this experience even more unique for them.
A “golden night” for Great Britain
However, the true highlight for all of us was certainly that final competition we had tickets for: Athletics in the Olympic Stadium. It was the first time we got to see the Olympic Flame – that alone seemed to be a moment that couldn’t get better. Until the British athletes took the stage – completely …
That night, Great Britain won three gold medals: in Jessica Ennis in Women’s Heptathlon, Greg Rutherford in Men’s Long Jump and Mo Farah in Men’s 10,000 m race. It is hard to describe in words the waves of emotion that went through the stadium during the competition.
Jessica Ennis' success later inspired two more British athletes to achieve gold medals that night
The British fans cheered so loudly that it literally took you off your seats to stand with them singing, cheering, waving and just enjoying ourselves. A girl who works in our SAP support was flabbergasted by the atmosphere in the arena. “I don’t know how often I recorded the national anthem; it gives me goose bumps every time I hear it.” Another one from our Facilities Management team added, “I’m on the edge of crying when I see those athletes receiving their medals with tears in their eyes.” Seeing Jessica Ennis winning her well-deserved medal was incredible – all under the eyes of Kate and William, members of the British Royal family, and a completely packed stadium. Everyone agreed these moments will be burned into our memories forever.
I noticed over the five days that I spent together with the group, writing about their “awesome moments” that I’m perhaps the luckiest of the bunch: I wasn’t only getting to enjoy the Games myself, I also got a deep insight into my colleagues feelings when I interviewed them, when I saw those glistening eyes, those never vanishing smiles, no matter how long the walk to the next facility was, this deep satisfaction everyone seemed to radiate, even if it was a short night with only a couple of hours of sleep. And this is perhaps also the reason, why I love my job: I get to know people and they become part of my own story which I find very satisfying myself. And in the end it all comes down to one word for this once-in-a-lifetime experience that puts it all into a nutshell: “AWESOME.”
