Back again after a long time. This time with my long story of Rio Paralympic games. I did have a wonderful time during the games and have written down my experience and would like to share with you all. Hope you will have a great time reading it. Wherever possible, i have put in photographs.
Happy reading.
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| Olympic stadium, Heart of the games |
Inspiration to volunteer for the Paralympic
games at Rio -
I run long
distances and currently represent my organization in various road racing events
across the country. I have won several accolades in the running events that include
winning over 20 major corporate relays that have been hosted across the
country, most by any corporate runner till date which includes 2 wins each at
prestigious marathon events held at Mumbai, Delhi and 1 at Bangalore. Also, I
was a middle distance runner from 1993. Running is currently living with me. I
applied to be a volunteer for the Rio games in December 2014, this was just in
time. After a series of interviews and other selection processes, offer was
made to me. I was finally part of the volunteering team of the marvelous games
on earth. This took a whole 1.5 years. Patience always has its rewards.
I was
selected to work at the airport for the Olympic Games; unfortunately it was too
late to plan my travel. Unfortunately let this go. But for the Paralympic
games, I was chosen to work at the athletics stadium in field of play. I chose
the latter as it was a gift for any Athlete. Being chosen to work in the field
where world class athletes ran was a gift of lifetime. Also, Paralympians are super
humans. They have overcome several challenges in life and compete at the games.
To work with them at the games was an opportunity of a lifetime. Hence, I gave
up my Olympic role to Paralympic role.
That in end didn’t
disappoint me. Also, I was giving back to the games as a volunteer as it is
expected from every athlete. It was not a chance to be missed as there would be
greats of the games and would get a chance to learn and meet new people. This
would also help me to gain new friends and learn new culture and that’s the
reason I was chose to volunteer at the games.
Initial hiccups leading up to the games-
The biggest
challenge was to get the Visa and the finances for the games. Initial worry was
projection of “Rio” as a very dangerous city in terms of crime and looming
danger of Zika Virus. I did ignore them and continued to prepare for the games.
I did approach many people whom I knew personally. None of them even had time
to look into my request apart from few kindhearted people who either expressed
their helplessness or directed me to approach someone.
I did
approach my company leadership team for support and they were happy to help me.
This was a blessing in disguise. They always have stood beside me and gave all
support which was required. That boosted my confidence to sky high. That itself
was a great gift that I would have got. So the preparation continued.
Visa came
easily and accommodation was sorted out with help of friends and with Airbnb.
But still there were some hints of negative projection of the city that was
worrying me. But, as the Olympic Games went on, the negativity went off as
there were lot of volunteers who had a positive review of the city and the
games. Thus, ending my worry and I was all set to travel to the biggest
Paralympic games at the city of Rio.
Volunteering Team at the games-
Every
volunteer teams were having diversity; there were people from different
countries. Majority of the volunteers from Brazil but, every team included one
foreign national. Games gave a wonderful opportunity to us to interact with
different volunteers from across the world. Volunteers broke the barrier of
color, caste, creed and nationalities to get united and make the games the best
ever. There were language barriers, but it was broken easily at work.
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| The team which was like a close knit family for 11 days |
Timing team where I worked had over 40 volunteers spanning 6 continents where fellow
volunteers were from Brazil, UK, Italy, Canada, India, Australia, Spain, South
Africa, Russia and Argentina. Volunteers ranged from students, teachers,
Medical professionals, Software programmers, Bankers, CEO’s, reputed
researchers and sports science professionals. Such rich expertise would be hard
to find. We always worked as a team to ensure the Athletic games were a
success. End of the games, we were like a family and are hoping to meet in
future games across the world.
Working at the games –
Being
allocated to Field of play, it was an opportunity to work closely with world’s
best athletes and best referees. I did work for 8 days for the games giving my
contribution. The games provided me a wonderful opportunity to work closely
with the latest timing technology. Timing team volunteers worked closely with
the official timing partner, Omega and ensured that the races went on smoothly
without glitch. Team was a strong 30 member team which worked in 2 shifts per
day for over 10 days.
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| Some amazing moments with Volunteer friends |
Team was
allocated to handle their starting blocks which were heart of the athletics
games. We were responsible to set the blocks for Paralympic athletes on the starting
line and ensure that they are arranged with precision and also were responsible
to clear off when the event starts. This block in itself is an invention which
has a speaker attached to it and calculates the response times of the athletes.
It was not all; we were responsible for the display of results on the giant
scoreboards. If you happened to see the results on score board, our team
volunteers were behind it. Seeing the technology work in front of your eyes was
a treat. Also our team was also responsible for distributing the results to the
authorized representative. In all team worked for 10 continuous days till the
last event and ensured the games were a success.
Special moments-
There were
several moments that are special at the games and I experienced firsthand.
Firstly, watching the athletes set tracks on fire was the cherishing moment.
They forgot their disability to put up a great show and showed to the world,
that they are not less than anyone.
Working with
diverse cultured team was the most special moment for me. 6 continents came
together in one place. We did out bit for the games. If we couldn’t communicate
verbally due to language barriers, we used sign language and broken English. As
a team, we pulled off great games. Also meeting volunteers from across the
world during the games was in itself a great moment for me.
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| World Record holders |
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| Some Moments with Athletes and Volunteers |
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| With Winners and TV hosts |
Watching
the fastest 1500 mtrs of the 2016 games was a treat to eyes. This race was run
faster than the Olympic 1500 mtrs race. The winner finished in world record time
and he could have beaten the Olympic champion with ease. Many times crowd were
going crazy for Brazilian athletes, this made the athletes to go stronger. Always
the last finisher was cheered loudly by the crowd which was sporting spirit. No
one was considered less. All were equal.
Watching Para-athletes break the world records was the most amazing moment for me. To se them excel on the field with all the disabilities will always put us to shame.
Touching
the Paralympic winner medals was even more special. Athletes were always close
to us, every time they posed for photographs with us, they asked us to hold the
medals and pose. This was so special. They always used to thank us after their
event when we wished them.
Not to forget,
the personalized certificate from the team for our work. This is the one which
shall be framed and going to my collection items.
Watching
the opening and closing ceremonies at the iconic Maracanã stadium was a treat
to eyes. This will always be in my memories.
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| Closing Ceremony at Maracana |
Meeting new
friends from across the world was a special moment in games, not to forget the
Cariocas, who welcomed us with open arms and showered love on volunteers.
Volunteers were always respected and thanked at all stages of the games. These
were some of the special moments.
About the City and people –
Rio is a
marvelous city and people are welcoming. There were reports of crime and bad
things on the city before the games. I never felt anything of it at any time.
Always people were eager to help us. Every one whom we met was happy to help us
in one way or another. I didn’t see any robbers nor did see any armed person
during my stay of 16 days. Rio is known for its beaches, natural beauty and
people. All are marvelous. Had great opportunity to capture some great
photographs.
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| With Rio's friends |
Rio people
are always relaxed and wish you with smile. Not to forget, their warm hugs and
love. That makes this city more special. I did end up making several friends
during my stay here. That’s what I have taken back home. Whenever I meet my
acquaintance, I do now hug them! It’s uncommon here, but that how you wish
people according to Rio Style!!
Rio is a
party place. Even my host invited me to come for a party. Unfortunately, I am
not a party person. So skipped it. Lapa is the place where you can party till
you drop.
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| Christ the Redeemer. Must visit place |
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| Some of the Places where you can spend time in Rio |
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| More places at Rio |
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| Rio is always Beautiful with its natural Beauty |
We had a
bad picture of Rio shown all over the places. That was not the one which I saw
but a bright and clean picture. There were hardly any instances during the
stay. Everyone was whom I met were happy to have a chat or help. People who
were careless and ignorant lost few items which would happen in any place on
earth. Language was the only issue. I hardly knew Portuguese, and majority of
them hardly knew English. This didn’t stop me from enjoying the city.
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| SambaDromo |
I have
never found a place on earth where even age old people ask sorry if they are
wrong!. That is Rio for you. All taxi
drivers I met were so polite and happy to help. No one ripped me off at any
point of time.
Security
was great at the city; I also walked around the streets with ease. Indeed,
there were some incidents which were due to pure negligence of people which is
common across the world. I did stay with 2 local Rio hosts and they were always
eager to make our stay more comfortable. Metro/subway was running at late nights
helping public to reach home with ease. City was geared up fully to make the
games marvelous.
Takeaways from the games and volunteering –
Rio
Paralympic games were one of the best games where the level of competition was
at the highest level. The games, games were amazingly organized and every one
contributed for its success. Crowd support was amazing. I saw it live in the
ground and also during 7 a side football match. Volunteering at the games
provided a great experience to learn the insights of the games. Also it
introduced me to new world of horizons, not only I made lot of friends, worked
on field of play got an opportunity to see the games live. Had a great chance
to meet the world record holders, citizens from across the world and real
heroes of the games. This event made me to realize that how much I have missed
things in life. We always are in a nutshell, these kind of games not only helps
us to break that nutshell, but shows a new world altogether. Where on earth can
you meet friends from several countries in 15days?
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| All were volunteers and have become great friends |
Volunteering
was one way that I was able to contribute to the success of the games. Being a
sportsperson, I always recommend that we need to volunteer and give back to
games in one way or another for the success. There are always detractors who
say volunteering is not good and it does not give any monetary benefits.
Volunteering is always giving back and it makes you active and a generous
person. This is a way by which you can explore the new horizons. Also, easy way
to travel. I was always for volunteering and will always stick to it, come
whatever.
What’s next?
After Rio,
I have set my sights higher and have planned for my next 2 years for
volunteering; this will be managed between my works. I have already applied for
2017 IAAF and IPC 2017 World Championships to be held at London, 2018 FIFA World cup to
be held in Russia and 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Korea. I always know that
there is huge competition to get selected as volunteer.
Selection
process will begin soon and there will be series of tests and interviews on
cards to clear. Post this, the offers will be given. Task is not so easy. In
all, I have learnt that the joy of giving back to sporting community is
amazing.
Finally I
would like to sincerely thank below members who made my journey a success
- Lovely friends whom I met in Rio. They are in one way or another made change in my life
- Friends across the world who were one way or another waiting for my daily update at my FB page
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| Miss you Rio |
Thanks once again,
Obrigado
Thanuj