If you were frustrated at not snagging tickets to the Olympic or Paralympic event of your choice, imagine how the athletes have felt. For British athletes, the issue of how to secure seats for their parents, spouse or children is an added stress amid the intense training leading up to next summer.
Now P&G, an official Olympic and Paralympic sponsor, has stepped in and organised tickets for all the British athletes (or “Team GB”) – two tickets for Olympic athletes and four for Paralympic for their first event.
As part of the initiative, P&G is also sponsoring a special secure lounge for athletes and their friends and families between the athlete’s village and the area of play.
It’s also running 14 workshops around the UK for athletes’ friends and families to help them prepare for the games and advise how they can help their medal contender handle the pressure. It might sound like a no-brainer for people who have known these sportmen and -women for years, but you’d be surprised.
Paralympic 100m hopeful Sophia Warner, at a press conference Wednesday, described being deluged with calls before a competition. A friend, coming to watch her compete, called 11 times, wanting to know where she should park.
BritMums was at the press conference and met Warner, along with champion swimmer Keri-Anne Payne.
Having family watching is a big boost, Payne said, and knowing they will be looked after is a relief.
Instead of worrying about their families’ transport, accommodation, and general logistics issues, the Olympic hopefuls can focus on their performance. For contenders like Payne, that means she can keep her mind on the goal of winning a gold in open water swimming… and listening out for her brother’s booming voice over the cheers of the rest of the crowd.
(pic: Susanna Scott, Sophia Warner, Jennifer Howze, Keri-Anne Payne)
– Jennifer Howze, www.jenography.net
About Holly Seddon
Holly Seddon is a writer, editor and community consultant and helped launched the community for Adoption UK, which won charity website of the year just 9 months later. She also writes a music blog.
Karin @ Cafe Bebe
Monday 10th of October 2011
It will be such an amazing opportunity to see phenominal athletes next year. I suppose we can get apathetic at times when something is on our doorstep, but I hope that many of us will get to see the 2012 Olympics next year...up close and personal. The paralympians, in particular, are amazingly special! Karin
Hol
Saturday 8th of October 2011
I'd never even considered that athlete's families had to go through the same hassles to get tickets as everyone else! The closest experience I have to competing in a race was the 5K Race for Life(!) and seeing/hearing my kids and husband shouting encouragement at the end spurred me on immensely - I found a little burst of energy I didn't know I had. Our guys and girls need their families yelling encouragement too! Go Team GB!
Jennifer Howze
Saturday 8th of October 2011
I was really surprised at the picture of an athlete's life that they painted. Because they perform at such a high level, you forget that they're fitting it in among all the regular life responsibilities.
Susanna
Friday 7th of October 2011
I think this is really cool! I can't imagine the stress of preparing for a big race and also trying to coordinate family requirements at the same time. It's a little detail you don't really think about, but can make a big difference to the athlete.