The Story So Far

As a UKA registered official I was invited to apply to be a Games Maker, a process that started in July 2010.
I then had to go through a selection process which involved a formal interview at the London Excel Centre.
After a very long wait I was informed that I had been successful and a program of training and test events would be the next step.

Over the last eighteen months I have attended training at Sandown Race Course.
Been a Crossing Marshall on the Fulham Road, Chelsea for the 140 km Surrey Classic Cycle Race, which was won be Mark Cavendish.
Attended Orientation Training at Wembley Arena, presented by John Inverdale with Dame (now Baroness) Tanni Grey Thompson.

Much to my surprise a couple of months ago I received an e-mail informing me that my Games Maker location would be The Olympic Stadium (no role specified).
Given this my next Test Event would be The British Universities and Colleges Athletics Championships, to be held at The Stadium, Stratford (still no Role).
For this Test Event I would need to attend Venue Specific Training which would be the morning before the event.
I was e-mailed with shifts to cover this, being Friday to Sunday 4th to 6th May.
More importantly I have also now received my shifts for The Olympics themselves which will be for the full 10 days of the Athletics.

I have just returned from the weekend of the Test Event having played my part in the team responsible for the Starting Blocks and Lane Markers.
It has been an unbelievably strenuous three days, it is physically hard as you are on the go from first thing in the morning to late at night and there is so much to remember.
However it is extremely rewarding and is a very responsible but privileged position.
Most other Field of Play Games Makers are behind the scenes and even those in the arena area have to be well out of sit once their job is done, where as we are out there or at the front of the tunnel most of the time.

There is a good chance that I could be setting out Usain Bolts's starting blocks or lane marker in one of his three events!

The next step is to collect my uniform for The Olympic Games.

Best Regards
Steven Horne