I am stationed at the media centre in the Whistler Village. We are a team of about 24 people who provide a positive customer service experience for the international media. That means that we try and answer any questions that journalists and photographers may have about the media centre. That can include information about connecting to the internet or accessing the internal database of Vancouver 2010. This database contains all the information about the athletes participating in the games, their teams and the details of their sporting venue.
Media folks also need information of all kinds regarding the games including results, event locations and times, or where to buy batteries for their digital camera. We staff a help desk that either gets this information to them or directs them to the appropriate source for that information. There are hundreds of reporters and photographers requiring assistance daily.
Our team also has responsibilities at the Whistler medals plaza. Medals ceremonies for the following venues are held nightly for events at:
- Olympic Park that includes ski jumping, biathalon, and cross country events
- Sliding Centre that includes the Luge, Skeleton and Bobsled
Once medals are awarded we direct the athletes to the area called the “Mixed Zone” where they are interviewed first by the media from their country and then by the other international journalists.
I too have access the database for the Olympics and can answer questions that you may have about the games. Send me your questions and I will try to answer as soon as I can.
The view from the slopes - Men's Downhill in progress
Good Morning, Mr. Weston,
ReplyDelete7F4, at Golden Gate would like to know a couple of things... 1) Have you had the opportunity to meet any of the athletes? If you have, who are they, and where are they from? 2) How do you communicate with athletes who speak a different language? 3) Have you been able to watch different events, or are you too busy with your volunteer responsibilites?
We enjoy checking in with your daily blog. Have fun at the games! CANADA ROCKS!!!!
Mr. Weston,
ReplyDeleteThanks for getting back to us about the Olympic Games. You sound really busy, but are you going to get the opportunity to watch any of the Olympic events live? Have you had the chance to ask any athletes how they are feeling about the games (excited or nervous)? If you had the choice, what Olympic event would you like to see live? Last question for today, why did you want to volunteer at the Olympic Games?
Thanks again for setting up this blog! Let's go Canada!
Mr. Weston,
ReplyDeleteOur gr.6's are very excited about the Olympics. They were wondering if volunteers are able to see any of the events?
Mike