Initial Impressions
The above photos document my first hour or so during the transfer from the airport to the Paralympic Village.
Departing just as the sun arose to awaken a sleeping city, temperatures rose quickly to 20 degrees plus before 8am.
It was quite surreal to ride in a special ITO (International Technical Official) bus using a specialist transport lane - it gave us a sense of importance, flying past dishevelled favelas, brand new towering apartment blocks, stadia and breathtaking mountain scenery. The contrasts were remarkable.
Departing just as the sun arose to awaken a sleeping city, temperatures rose quickly to 20 degrees plus before 8am.
It was quite surreal to ride in a special ITO (International Technical Official) bus using a specialist transport lane - it gave us a sense of importance, flying past dishevelled favelas, brand new towering apartment blocks, stadia and breathtaking mountain scenery. The contrasts were remarkable.
The view from my apartment :)
My room
For the Olympics, the press were reporting all sorts of problems with the plumbing and state of apartments. To be perfectly honest, I can see where they were coming from - it seems the hot water has a mind of its own and the pressure changes constantly. I think I've spotted a pattern in the water flow though, so can get cleaned up pretty quickly.
The village is about a mile from the Paralympic Park, but a 15 minute bus transfer due to the road system. We are not allowed to walk to the venues; we MUST use approved transport due to safety concerns crossing the busy roads (amongst other reasons). The funding cuts have severely hampered the transport network, meaning our buses leave the village and arrive at the park two and a half hours ahead of our games (instead of the more traditional hour and a half). No excuses for being late to games then!
My first couple of days were spent collecting uniform, referee kit, exploring the village and having a referee clinic where we discussed the points of emphasis for the tournament. There will be lots of homework before I work my first game!
Two things which interested me greatly were the explanations on the use of the TV replay system and a system called Omega Precision Timing. The way it works is I will have a tiny microphone attached to my whistle, which in turn is attached to small pack on the back of my trousers and when I blow the whistle, it will stop the clock in the arena automatically. See if you can spot it! To start the clock, there is a button on the trouser-pack. It's a system I've seen used before, but never used it myself.
The clinic was held in the Rio Olympic Arena (used for Gymnastics at the Olympics) and oh my goodness what a moment that was, stepping into the arena and seeing thousands of seats, shiny new floor and flags hanging from the roof.
The atmosphere in the village is wonderful - complete strangers stopping each other to introduce themselves, find out where they are from, what event they are competing in etc. It has a truly welcoming, inclusive feel
to it, even though they will potentially be going head-to-head for a gold medal within hours of first meeting.
Many of these encounters occur in the dining hall - it's the equivalent size of something like 10 football pitches, and offer a global menu, all for free, 24/7. The quality of the food is mixed - pizza and pasta seem to be the most popular choices but I like to experiment when abroad, so I'm a regular at the Brazilian and South American counters. Meat upon meat upon meat! My grandma would always comment on the quality of steak by if she would be able to chew it or not. Let's just say it wouldn't be on her plate if she were here with me!
All of of the volunteers and staff are brilliant. There is nothing they aren't willing to do to help out. English is quite widely spoken and those who don't speak it know exactly who does, so communication is generally not a problem. Having learned a tiny bit of Portuguese has also come in useful :)
As I write this, the Games have already begun. My next post will be about the Opening Ceremony, but first I need to recompose myself. Just thinking about it still brings a lump to my throat and tear in my eye. I will have also refereed my first game: Algeria vs China women at 1am UK time (Thurs night / Fri morning). Don't wait up! 😁
to it, even though they will potentially be going head-to-head for a gold medal within hours of first meeting.
Many of these encounters occur in the dining hall - it's the equivalent size of something like 10 football pitches, and offer a global menu, all for free, 24/7. The quality of the food is mixed - pizza and pasta seem to be the most popular choices but I like to experiment when abroad, so I'm a regular at the Brazilian and South American counters. Meat upon meat upon meat! My grandma would always comment on the quality of steak by if she would be able to chew it or not. Let's just say it wouldn't be on her plate if she were here with me!
All of of the volunteers and staff are brilliant. There is nothing they aren't willing to do to help out. English is quite widely spoken and those who don't speak it know exactly who does, so communication is generally not a problem. Having learned a tiny bit of Portuguese has also come in useful :)
As I write this, the Games have already begun. My next post will be about the Opening Ceremony, but first I need to recompose myself. Just thinking about it still brings a lump to my throat and tear in my eye. I will have also refereed my first game: Algeria vs China women at 1am UK time (Thurs night / Fri morning). Don't wait up! 😁