If you were frustrated at not snagging tickets to the Olympic or Paralympic event of your choice, imagine how the athletes have felt. For British athletes, the issue of how to secure seats for their parents, spouse or children is an added stress amid the intense training leading up to next summer.
Now P&G, an official Olympic and Paralympic sponsor, has stepped in and organised tickets for all the British athletes (or “Team GB”) – two tickets for Olympic athletes and four for Paralympic for their first event.
As part of the initiative, P&G is also sponsoring a special secure lounge for athletes and their friends and families between the athlete’s village and the area of play.
It’s also running 14 workshops around the UK for athletes’ friends and families to help them prepare for the games and advise how they can help their medal contender handle the pressure. It might sound like a no-brainer for people who have known these sportmen and -women for years, but you’d be surprised.
Paralympic 100m hopeful Sophia Warner, at a press conference Wednesday, described being deluged with calls before a competition. A friend, coming to watch her compete, called 11 times, wanting to know where she should park.
BritMums was at the press conference and met Warner, along with champion swimmer Keri-Anne Payne.
Having family watching is a big boost, Payne said, and knowing they will be looked after is a relief.
Instead of worrying about their families’ transport, accommodation, and general logistics issues, the Olympic hopefuls can focus on their performance. For contenders like Payne, that means she can keep her mind on the goal of winning a gold in open water swimming… and listening out for her brother’s booming voice over the cheers of the rest of the crowd.
(pic: Susanna Scott, Sophia Warner, Jennifer Howze, Keri-Anne Payne)
- Jennifer Howze, www.jenography.net
