What is a Gamesmaker?

In a nutshell, we of the purple-and-poppy uniforms were at the Olympic Games to:

  • Help visitors and participants feel welcome
  • Provide initial security and support for the venues
  • Take tickets to events
  • Help visitors and participants find their way around
  • Cheer on the competitors
  • And generally, help out wherever we were needed!
Image courtesy Kelise Franclemont, 2012.
Image courtesy Kelise Franclemont, 2012.

I was on the Venue Security Entry Team

I was stationed at Horse Guards Parade, which was the venue for both Beach Volleyball and start/finish for the Marathon races. I (and the rest of my colleagues) helped:

  • Support the Army (many of whom gave up holidays to do this!)
  • Place bags and items in the security scanners
  • Manage the queues of visitors
  • Provide information and assistance to the visitors
  • Know the words for “belts, pockets and watches” in every other language (les ceintures, les pochets, les montres)

We even got a chance in the earlier matches to see some of the action. And it must be said that our venue consistently rated over 90% in satisfaction surveys for all the venues — higher than every other venue!

Lord Nelson's Column, as seen in Trafalgar Square during the London 2012 Olympics. Image courtesy Kelise Franclemont
Lord Nelson’s Column, as seen in Trafalgar Square during the London 2012 Olympics. Image courtesy Kelise Franclemont

An experience I would gladly repeat

I thoroughly enjoyed being a Gamesmaker, so much so that I’m looking forward to possibly volunteering in the Glasgow Games 2014, and the Rio Olympic Games in 2016! I met many interesting people and more than that, I loved the positive and upbeat vibe around London throughout the Games.