The flame still burns

Memories of Sydney’s Olympic Games twelve years ago come to life again on the eve of the 2012 Games

Chelsea Clinton is arriving soon, Sandip, please drop everything and rush to meet and greet her,” said Jessica, my director.

I know it’s hard to conjure an image that an ordinary being like me would be told to personally shake hands and welcome the daughter of Bill and Hillary Clinton, but it’s true.

It all happened during the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 when, as a Protocol Supervisor for the International Olympics Committee (IOC), I was running around the VIP enclosures of the main stadium in Homebush attending to IOC members, Olympic officials and dignitaries from various countries, with Miss Clinton representing the US President, being one of them.

The time spent with her is one of many treasured experiences that often ignite my Sydney 2000 memories, but more so when the flame is soon lit again at London.

After IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch announced the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, as a Sydneysider I immediately thought of getting involved in some way with the world’s greatest sporting event. So when volunteers were being recruited, I threw my hat in the ring and after a challenging selection process, I managed to secure a Protocol Supervisor role at the Main Stadium, the epicentre of the Games.

The role in essence meant assisting IOC members and their guests with their accredited seating, hospitality, games information, medal ceremonies, security, transport and any other support they required while at the VIP section of the venue. As the date approached my excitement knew no bounds, particularly after receiving my uniform which included an official Olympic blazer, a priceless item which many can only dream of wearing.

The glamour and atmosphere on the opening night was absolutely mind-blowing! It was an obviously busy time for me and my colleagues, and also the first test to see whether we could stand on our feet for almost 12 hours. And we did! We were so busy and excited that we forgot to be tired. We were surrounded by celebrities and stars that included Royals, Heads of State, sporting legends and rock stars. I had the opportunity to mingle with many of them: Princess Anne, Prince Albert of Monaco, King Constantine of Greece, Henry Kissinger, Geoff Norman and the legendary Muhammad Ali are a few that I still remember coming across that evening. A great moment was the arrival of Juan Antonio Samaranch, with whom I had dealt with on protocol issues many times during the course of the Games.

Many other Royals and Head of States must have gone past me. I shook some hands without even knowing who they were. I had always perceived Kings and Queens in imperial robes with their crowns and jewellery, so I had difficulty recognising them as they looked and dressed like ordinary people. Because of that I couldn’t recognise the King and Queen from Sweden when I was waiting at the entrance to greet and usher them in. They arrived in a big group and I welcomed all of them, not knowing exactly who the royal couple was. Similar was my experience with the Crown Princes from Denmark, Spain and Nepal.

I remember moments with Crown Prince Deependra from Nepal, who would talk to me about life in Australia, India and Nepal. In 2001 he killed himself after shooting other members of his family. When I heard the news of that tragic incident, it was hard for me to believe what that young man had in his destiny. I often saw Prince Frederik from Denmark arriving with an Aussie girl Mary Donaldson, who in 2004 became the Royal Princess. Maybe the Games also planted seeds of a life-long relationship for many others that I don’t know of.

There was lot of drama during the football final between Spain and Cameroon. The VIP enclosure was divided into twothe European nations lead by the Spanish Prince supporting Spain; while their African counterparts cheered Cameroon, fronted by Roger Milla, a Cameroon star of 1990 Mexico World Cup. There were several heated moments on and off the field. A marching out order for a Spanish player got the Prince extremely agitated, and he didn’t hesitate to show his frustrations. Likewise when a Cameroon goal was not allowed by the referee, all the Africans started yelling, “It’s cheating, it’s cheating!” while being booed by the opponents. And as excitement peaked during the penalty shootout to decide the gold medal winner, it was no less rousing than watching the climax of a crime thriller.

Coordination of the medal ceremony was one of our key tasks, and I was lucky enough to be rostered for the women’s 400m race which was won by our own Cathy Freeman. After receiving the medal she handed over her prized possession to me. As expected, I was thrilled to have an Olympic medal in my hands. When I told this story to a journalist from India, he reported the incident in his popular daily, highlighting that though India couldn’t bag any gold medal in Sydney, at least one Indian had the opportunity to touch it!

Over the last 12 years, a lot of water has flown through the rivers, but nothing has impacted the sacred spirit of the Olympic Games. On July 27 when the Games will be declared open in London, I will be in Berlin where the event was earlier held in 1936. While watching the live telecast, my memories of Sydney 2000 will bloom again. I will hear the roars and the cheers; I will visualise myself in the Olympic blazer ushering perhaps the Prince of Swaziland or an IOC member from Ireland, or getting some information for Chelsea Clinton.

“Aussie, Aussie, Aussie –oi, oi, oi!” will ceaselessly sound in my ears!

I often saw Prince Frederik from Denmark arriving with an Aussie girl Mary Donaldson, who in 2004 became the Royal Princess.

And as excitement peaked during the penalty shoot out to decide the gold medal winner, it was no less rousing than watching the climax of a crime thriller.