Hello SkillsActive,

So far during my Paralympian bout as a flash quote reporter all is going well, just like Great Britain’s medal tally. 

It is nice to see Britain doing so well not just at the Olympics but at the Paralympics especially with 2012 just around the corner, hopefully we can surpass what we have achieved here in Beijing back home in London.

Anyway volunteering here for the Paralympics at first was a proposition I entered with a small deal of pessimism. This was mainly due to friends going home and being in a foreign country for another three weeks after living here for two months already, but to be honest the experience has been well worth while.

One of the main reasons for this is because where I work in the mixed zones after events, there is less accredited media than there was at the Olympics; meaning that you get more one on one time with athletes which not only develops your interviewing skills but also increases your confidence. 

In fact only yesterday evening I interviewed Michael McKillop of Ireland who set a new world record and won Gold in the T37 800m, winning Ireland’s first Gold medal. And he is such a nice lad, I really hope he continues his success and does well in the rest of his career.

I also interviewed the women’s greatest ever athlete Chantal Petitclerc who won the women’s 100m, the first of many events for Petitclerc, who won five Gold medals in the last games at Athens. Also with this looking like her last Paralympics it makes interviewing her even more special. 

So when you are interviewing some of the worlds great Paralympians it can be a bit daunting, however they put you as a reporter at ease and are very understanding. Something that at times wasn’t the case in the Olympics whereby athletes would blank you and then close up like a clam during the interview, this has not happened here.

Now looking back on my choice to stay here I am very happy and feel I made the right decision. I am working with a great team at the Birds Nest and flash quoting at the Paralympics is so much fun, it is exciting and to be honest this experience is going to help me as much as the Olympics did.

Finally I would like to finish of by saying congratulations team GB, keep up the good work and continue to make us proud.

Will speak to you all very soon.