This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I feel privileged to have been selected to be part of it. To begin with we flew to Macau where Team GB had their preparation holding camp. We were given a tour of some of the facilities and training venues available to the athletes and Andy Badeley talked about what the camp is for and how the athletes use the camp to get the best out of it. Everything the athletes needed was on hand including doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists and nutritionists. The rooms in the hotel were excellent, beds were comfortable and Jack was particularly impressed with the food.
After Macau we flew across to Beijing for the opening ceremony. It was a fantastic display and I was lost for words. The sky was lit with fireworks going off across the entire city and the noise was deafening. I was tingling from head to foot and at that moment there was nothing I wanted more than to be inside the stadium parading as part of Team GB rather than simply watching as you can see in the picture..
The day after the opening ceremony we saw China win their first gold medal in the womens 48kg category in the weightlifting. The competition took place in a sports hall with over 6000 seats, few of which were empty creating an outstanding atmosphere.
Finally we got a tour of the Olympic village. All I can say is Wow! It was like another world, completely isolated from the outside and the sheer size of it was unbelievable.
Things I enjoyed
I enjoyed mixing with other athletes from different sports and getting to meet some of the big names you see on the television. I enjoyed every minute in Beijing and was sad to leave, however I left feeling highly motivated and inspired by what I had witnessed and experienced by being out there.
Difficulties
Personally I think the thing I would struggle with the most is being away from loved ones for so long, however there are many computers which helps you stay in touch over the internet and also helps pass time.Getting back into training after a long journey is also hard as Jack found out on arrival in Macau. Many other people struggled with jet lag due to the 7 hour time difference, and for people in weight controlled sports they need to be disciplined and have high self control because the dining hall in the Olympic village is open 24 hours and there is such a huge selection of food.
What I Learnt
From this experience I have learnt how much time and planning goes into organising and running an event as big as the Olympics, and what a wonderful job can be done. What we see on television is such a small part of the overall picture. I know that London 2012 will be another spectacular Olympics with team GB being bigger than ever before and I will do everything in my power to be there competing.
Helen Jewell, Weightlifting
BOA 2012 Ambition Programme