Olympics 2012 - Day 10

Dr Anne has spent a lot of time talking to the team members (the paid last milers) and the volunteers.  She thought she would share.

Many of the team members have been taken from the unemployed.  There is a feeling that they don't have the same motivation as the volunteers, maybe but maybe not.

Some are school leavers waiting for exam results due in a couple of weeks.  One example is of an endearing young guy who is hoping for two A* and an A - Maths, Further Maths and Physics.  If he gets them he will go to Imperial College for mechanical engineering.  If he doesn't get the top results 3 As will take him to Bristol.  He is going to take a gap year and look for an internship.  By that time he should have his British Passport and not have to pay international student fees.  He was so mature in his conversation.  He told one needs confidence and humility to do well.

Dr Anne had three chats with a group of boys who were tired... One is at university doing forensics.  He failed some exams and didn't know if he was going to do the resist.  Another was waiting for his results and the third had messed about at school and was unemployed.  All were worrying about getting a job.

There were quite a number of French, some were given leave of absence from work to attend.  One young lad, at least 7 feet tall works in Paris and has leave of absence with pay.  He got a call a couple of days ago offering him promotion in the organisation in Lyon next spring.  Celebration called.

The volunteers have been mixed.  While some have complained about 'Death by Sandwiches', boring task, no tickets for events, fed up... others have accepted the task with enthusiasm, energy and good nature.

Horses for courses...

Being in uniform the others in uniform smile and chat at the station, in the tube, on the bus, in the street, in the eating places.   Yesterday in the park, a couple were on their way to the athletics.  They were lucky to get two sets of tickets.  Two men were also off to the athletics.  One guy showed Dr Anne different apps for her phone.  (She didn't tell them that she didn't have a phone with internet.)  A family were looking for late tickets and decided to sit and watch Murray.  Two men were going to the cycling.