Halfway into the Olympics we spoke to Tim to see how things have been going in the commentary control room.
The extraordinary security since the games have started has made things in here a bit different. As well as armed guards, we have regular visits from sniffer dogs and what we call ‘mag and bag’ checks – metal detectors and bag searches. We eat our meals with wooden knives and forks and there is a security blimp continuously circling the main complex.
The weather here has been perfect, though the midday heat means there is an extended delay in work and the games at lunchtime (which I could get used to). The start of the athletics program has changed a few things as well – we are working on shifts to cover the whole program which means we get two 5 or 6 hour breaks in a day instead of one long break over night, which is taking some adjustment.
A few days into the games we asked Tim if everything was running smoothly.
So far it's been a lot of work and a lot of fun here in Athens. I've been working at the Olympic Stadium with a wonderful group of Greek engineering students and a few itinerant Olympic workers.
When I arrived on the 26th July there was not even reliable electricity at the stadium, and most of us expressed our complete dismay. The locals showed no signs of concern, and it turned out that they were right - everything was been ready on time.
My job here has been pretty straightforward. I’m basically connecting bits of wire to boxes that have buttons in order to allow commentators to send their words to their studios so that radio and television shows can be broadcast. We then just have to ensure that what is working keeps working throughout the whole show. So far there has been only one test, the opening ceremony, and that really wasn't a test as commentary wasn't really necessary (I hope it looked good on television - it was fantastic live). Our next test is the shot putt. It's being held at the old (1896) stadium, although the commentators will be here at the new stadium, commentating TV pictures.
The Greeks that I meet have a refreshing attitude. I've become accustomed to and enamoured by what seems to be a Greek view of things - the games are just that, games. Over-competitiveness is unattractive. But let's have fun.
