SkillsActive Blog » Charlotte Abbott

My last few weeks in Beijing

Charlotte Abbott — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:47:23 +0000

Saturday 16^thAugust, must have been one of my best days since I have been here in Beijing. At the workers’ indoor stadium I was about to leave, but my friend Laura and I noticed a BBC crew had turned up and we heard that they were filming a feature about the rules of Boxing with Adrian Chiles! It was so good to see behind the scenes and meet the BBC crew.

To top it off, the group of us had the chance to go to the the National Stadium, it was immense. I witnessed the Men’s 100m final with Jamaican Usain Bolt to win a gold medal and setting a world record of 9.69 seconds. Absolutely amazing, especially with the stadium seating 91,000 people, the noise intensity from the crowd, it was so surreal.

Saturday 23^rdAugust was the finals for Boxing and our main man James Degale wins Gold for Great Britain. It was such a great moment to hear our national anthem. Great Britain have done so well this year at the Games, apparently this is the best they have done in the medals table for a century.

Sunday 24^th the last day of the Olympics, I can’t believe it’s all over! Many years of planning and it just comes down to these two weeks. I have to remind myself that I am part of the Olympics and, in a way, part of history. I saw countries winning medals for the first time and I saw how the Olympics is performed from behind the scenes.

There is so much hard work that Beijing has put in and to be fair they have done a brilliant job. I have had an amazing experience that I have even signed up to cover the Winter Olympics in Vancouver 2010.

I still had a few days left, so I went to the Temple of Heaven. It was so peaceful and tranquil. It made me reflect on what I had learnt over the last 8 weeks. Not just working for the Olympics, but what I have learnt about cultures and other people. It has really inspired me to go travelling and learn more about the world.

I have really enjoyed writing for Skills Active, as it has given me the chance to reflect on my journey and to share my experiences with you guys. I know that David will keep you entertained for the Paralympics for another 3 weeks, so until next time, bring on London 2012!

Zàijiàn

First day at the Workers’ Stadium

Charlotte Abbott — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:57:27 +0000

Couldn’t wait for my first day working at the Workers Stadium for boxing, but even before I got to see my first Olympic event, I could hear cheering outside and found that the route for road cycling was right outside my window. I really am in the Olympic spirit now! It is so surreal being part of a major sporting event, especially when people back at home can only enjoy the experience through their television. When I did eventually arrive to work, for boxing it looked bleak, as Frankie Gavin, the lightweight world amateur boxing champion was one of Britain’s medal hopes in Beijing but was withdrawn after failing to make his weight. The second blow was that several of the British boxers have tough opening bouts. So it could be hard competition. I can’t wait!

Opening ceremony

Charlotte Abbott — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:55:42 +0000

The Olympics have officially started! There were worries that it was going to rain on the day of the Opening ceremony, but it held off and was definitely a night to remember! I watched the ceremony on large screen with all my friends in Ditan Park. It was such a great atmosphere with many people from other countries, such as the USA, Spain, Italy and of course Great Britain! The ceremony started with a dramatic drummed countdown, while fireworks exploded over the National Stadium. Apparently it was watched by 91,000 people in the arena with an audience of 4 billion worldwide. The ceremony lasted over 3 hours with more than 200 countries gathered in the stadium. To top it all off, Li Ning an 1984 gold medallist was raised to the roof of the Bird’s Nest by wires and ran around the edge of the stadium before lighting the torch tower! I cannot wait for the next 16 days of the Games.

Beijing so far…

Charlotte Abbott — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:31:14 +0000

I can’t believe I have been here for 4 weeks now and that the Olympics start in 8 days! It has gone so quick!

This week I went to the Forbidden City near Tiananmen Square. It covers a vast area, with so much to see. It was home for almost five centuries for the Emperors within the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Outside the Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square, there is a large flower show based on the Beijing 2008 Olympics, which is being put on display just a week before the Games.

My training is based at the Workers’ Indoor Stadium, where the boxing is held. I am so excited to be there within the journalists and the athletes. Being part of the Games is such an exciting time in my life at the moment and it’s too hard to describe in words, but I know for sure that the atmosphere here will be fantastic. A group of us are hoping to go to the Bird’s Nest to witness the Opening Ceremony on the 8^th August. It should be a night to remember!

First weeks in Beijing

Charlotte Abbott — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:46:45 +0000

Hello there!

Wow, I can’t believe I have been here for nearly three weeks in Beijing and what a journey it has been so far.
When I first arrived, it was such a culture shock with the weather being humid and the language barrier being so wide. But I found that I have settled in really quickly with the help of everyone I have meant here is so friendly.

Beijing has so much to offer and with the Olympics coming up, it has worked so hard to accomodate for everyone’s needs. The organisation that David and I are working for over the Olympics, BOCOG gave us a three day tour, which included the Great Wall, Ming Tombs and the Summer Palace. It has been such a great experience so far and if ever have the chance to come to Beijing, you really must visit these places. There is so much history to cover and the culture is so intriging. One of the other things you must do of course is have the famous Peking Duck. Definitely a highlight for me so far!

This week I have started my training at the Workers’ Indoor Stadium, where I will be covering the Boxing.

Introducing Charlotte…

Charlotte Abbott — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:08:56 +0000

My name is Charlotte Abbott and I am a 20 year old student. I am studying Journalism at Sheffield Hallam University.

Luckily, out of 200 people, myself and 23 other students from the university were given the opportunity to volunteer and work for the Olympic News Service in Beijing this summer. To become part of this project, I had to go through various exams, such as writing an article in 100 words within an hour and writing ‘flash quotes’ from audio and video clips, as well as an interview. Hallam was the only University in Europe to gain this experience, due to its well known establishment of sport culture.

Over the next few weeks, myself and fellow student David Stevenson will be writing blogs about our feelings, experience and the atmosphere at the Beijing Olympics.

It will be interesting to view the Olympics from behind the scenes, as I have only ever witnessed the event on the television. As I will be part of the environment of sport, culture and media all rolled into one, it will be one ride that should not be missed. So I hope you can follow my journey for the next 7 weeks in Beijing!