XX OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES - TORINO
The Diary of an Olympic Volunteer
Introduction
I
almost can't really believe that the Olympics have finally come... I
remeber in 1999, when it was announced that the 2006 Olys would take
place in Italy, I still had to meet my skating frends, and I wondered
if I would ever be able to find a way to attend at least one skating
event... I would never imagine back than that I would actually end up
spending a month in Torino, working in the skating venue during every
competition, in close contact with the core of the organization and
amid so many friends... But how could I predict back then all the things
that have happened in these years?
I would never imagine back then, meeting all the people I met, having
so many skaters as friends, visiting all the places I did and doing
most of the things I lived. Wow, how have things changed.
Anyway, after waiting all these years, after touching the dream in 2005
and thinking of having los it when I left Torino... and finding it happily
again, finally the moment had come: we're going to the Olympics!!! of
course I would have enjoyed having time to prepare things properly,
but with a full time job, preparing and working at nationals, going
to Lyon, and working till Jan. 30th.... I find myself on the road to
Torino with a very hurried packing done, hoping not to miss too many
things.
A month will be really long, and I will discover how hard the shifts
are, and how long... we'll be soo tired all the time, trying to do the
job at our best and also enjoying the life in the Olympic city...
But above all I will always cherish this memory, because having the
Olympics at home is already something extraordinary, but being able
to be there all the time, in the center of the action of your favourite
sport... seeing what I wish to see and even more so living the backstage,
helping the skaters in the most important moment of their carreer...
and of course, being right next to my skating friends, Fede and Massi
and Babi and Mauri and Silvia...it makes it so much more special!
Bet let's go on, and here it is.. .my diary...