University staff set to be the ‘face of the Olympic Games’

19 July 2012

Sue James, a receptionist in the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health, will be working in the Welcome Centre as part of the accreditation team to ensure all participants have all the necessary documentation, issuing passes and helping to resolve any issues.

Penny Porter and Gael Barnes, who work as physiotherapists in the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health, will be using their skills to help the athletes.

Penny, 34 and a former international swimmer and GB record holder, will be working as a physio in the Aquatics Centre to help the swimmers and water polo players.

She will be joined in the centre by Clare Brophy, a staff development manager in Bristol University’s Human Resources Department, who is working in event services

Jenny Fletcher, a massage therapist in the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health, is helping at the Paralympics where she’ll be based in the Polyclinic alongside physios, osteopaths and sports physicians to help any athletes who need treatment before or after they compete.

Staff from the University will be involved in all aspects of the Games, from physiotherapy to checking tickets and ensuring athletes have the correct accreditation.

A quarter of a million people applied to the Games Maker programme and a team of specially trained volunteer interviewers has been carrying out selection interviews since February 2011.

London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has recruited and trained 70,000 volunteers in total.

Games Makers have already been through intensive training, had a sneak preview of the Olympic venues and collected their uniform – which includes a jacket, polo shirt, trousers, trainers, socks and cap.

The Games Maker outfit was inspired by the historic Grenadier Guards uniform, with influences from the 1948 Games, Wimbledon and Henley Regatta.

Other London 2012 branded gear to be used by the Games Makers includes a watch, bag, water bottle and an all-important umbrella.

Aside from looking the part, the volunteers have been dubbed the ‘face of the Games’ – acting as ambassadors for Great Britain by being friendly and helpful to everyone.