Gemma Wiggs on her amazing adventure - 2 and a half years working for LOCOG.
How did you feel when it was announced that London had been selected to host the 2012 Olympics?
When London was selected to host the Games I felt a huge amount of excitement and pride. I knew it was an opportunity that couldn't be missed both as a sports fan but also for a future dream job!!
Describe your journey to London?
I was fortunate to enjoy 2 and a half years working on London 2012. This followed 5 enjoyable years at Volleyball England as the Competitions and Events Manager. Bob Clarke the London 2012 Volleyball Manager was looking for someone with major events experience but also someone who knew the UK landscape and people....this was my opportunity. It was great to work from the very beginning to shape all three programmes (indoor, beach and sitting volleyball) and then closer to the events focus more on indoor and sitting.
What was your biggest challenge? What was your biggest achievement?
I have learnt over the years that any event, no matter how large or small, has the same principles. It is about knowing what questions to ask of who. The Olympics and Paralympics are no different....its just the budget is much bigger and the number of people involved huge.
The biggest challenge for us though was the Games transport system. Unfortunately for the first few days no buses turned up for International Technical Officials and T3 cars kept getting lost with FIVB dignitaries in them. But in true style, the team pulled together and we organised our own car shuttles or those amenable to the idea just took the tube (in its new friendly, people actually do smile on the tube form).
Its hard to pinpoint just one achievement....I am quite proud of the fact that we scheduled the Sitting Volleyball mid-session in the break of the other 4 arenas. This meant not only did we have a full 10,000 capacity crowd but had thousands more queuing down the excel central concourse wanting to watch our sport. What makes me smile the most though is looking back at the people involved....our volleyball family!
Do you have an amusing story that you can share?
There are many people that made London 2012 happen and special. In particular the committed Group Leaders who came on board in the final 3 months of the planning. They brought energy, expertise and enthusiasm. Richard Morten was a key member of this team and along with Serena were instrumental in the success, going about their business without any issues. Richard though is notorious for cat napping.....sit him down for 5 minutes and he would use 4 minutes 59 for a spot of shut eye.
This is him catching some zzz's on the Excel balcony....you could have driven a forklift truck past him and he wouldnt have stirred! ;-)
What was your proudest moment during 2012?
I was not only fortunate to land my dream job on London 2012 but also met my future wife!
It was obviously a proud moment seeing Em and the GB teams playing in front of capacity crowds. From a pure event perspective the proudest moment was standing on the edge of the field of play during the men's medal ceremony.....the arena was lined by sport games makers and it was a moment where I can stand back and be proud of what we, the mere minnows of volleyball world, had achieved. We had organised three world class volleyball events and showcased the athletes and our event to the world.
What do you think the biggest legacy for volleyball was following 2012?
London 2012 certainly raised the profile of volleyball in the UK. To this day I still chat to people who enjoyed engaging with the events either a spectator or a Games Maker.
Thank you Gemma
