So then, after a very busy summer it is now time to collect
thoughts and move to the ‘winter season’ with other work and to re-invigorate the
regular work.
The GB trials for the World Championships and the Muller Anniversary
Games came quickly one after another and, to be honest, were over in a flash. Some
great work by the main organisers made my work so much easier than normal. The new generation of GB athletes are now
coming through after a few years of getting to know what goes on at major
events. Some will be around for a good
while and look forward to seeing them in future Olympics and World Championships.
The IPC World Championships was a long ten days. When I long,
I mean LONG!
Worked with some good people and volunteers ( who did a sterling
job) but the thing that made it a long day for me and Cav, the Photo Manager
was the presentations!
Good things about the medal ceremonies was that they were in
a public place – the Hero zone or Fan zone.
This led to lots more people coming to see some of the best athletes in
the IPC world getting their hard earned medals.
The bad news was that we had to manage the photographers
during these times. Did I say that these
were given out during the ‘down time’ IE in between track sessions. The upshot
was that both me and Cav got about one hour a day when we were not ‘on call’. The last Saturday saw a massive three-hour
presentations slot. All that said it was a great experience and the uniforms
were something to behold!
Couple of days back
home and the back to London for the Prudential Ride London.
Now in its fifth year and always comes up with the goods. As
well as the usual jobs of making sure the cameras get in the right place to get
the best out of the elite and celebs who are around over the weekend, I had the
pleasure of seeing some old ‘Celeb friends’ including Martin Johnson, Lemar,
Colin Jarvis, the delightful Laura Wright, and Ben Foster to name a few.
Andre Burton did the usual in breaking some world records
for the crowds and the ‘free cycle’ saw wave upon wave of cycles going around the
sights of London without a car in sight. Great organisation by London marathon
Events.
Back home for a day and catch up on ‘regular work’ and then
it was back for the marathon as part of the IAAF World Championships. The day
before I was at trackside to help out with the cameras and the last Usain Bolt
track run. That WAS fun!
The marathon was unusual as it started at tower bridge –
half way point for London marathon and very near the regular hotel we use in
April.
Some good racing from both Men and Women and the medals were given out
nearby at London Tower. Shame they didn’t
use more of the natural surroundings as it is a great place for iconic pictures
but never mind.
Few days of R&R then to the final meeting of the season –
Birmingham GP. Last track race for Mo Farah and we all knew we had to be on our
toes to make sure this worked for all the people who needed it to work. Enough
to say all was happy and it was a great way to finish off a great, if very
busy, summer of athletics.
Once again, I am in forever grateful to my friends with cameras who make my life
hell during these events – wouldn’t have it any other way!
