Stop---you're choking me!

I fondly look upon my Olympic volunteer service with cherished memories. Sure, there was some stuff I'd rather forget, but for the most part it was a great experience. My motto was "fix it right, the FIRST time." I used to joke with my boss that if a broadcaster had to call back a second time about one of my service calls, (which never happened, BTW), then they didn't want to talk to me---they probably should talk to my boss. Sure, there were jokes that the infamous Info '96 system really was the Info '92 results instead, but I think overall, most of the broadcasters were happy with the service we provided.

I found that once they got to know you and were comfortable with you in their office, they would start to tell you things. We all looked out for one another. Granted I had my favorites (who doesn't), but that never impacted the service I gave to what I called "my broadcasters downstairs." Some of them I knew from shortwave radio. Others were their colleagues from the TV side who joshed that they "were going to tell ______ about how I couldn't fix it right." I knew they were joking. But one day, my eyes got a real good education on one of those "shoot the breeze" discussions.

One frustrated guy asked me if I had seen Manolo Romero lately. For those of you who don't know, he is the person who owns ISB, which has had a chokehold on the Olympic broadcast contract for god knows how long. I replied that I hadn't, and sat down over a coffee to see what I could do to help.

Apparently this guy had a serious issue he wanted to sit down to talk to Manolo about. "We paid over $40 million dollars for the broadcast rights back to our home country, and I can't even get in to see him!" I really empathised with the situation, as I come from a service background myself, having done training at Sprint and BellSouth for a number of years.

I went downstairs and asked in the ISB office if he was around. No-we haven't seen him and were not sure when he is going to be in. Several more tries followed, all unsuccessful. Then I noticed a closed door in the corner and saw a sign that read "If the door is closed, you have no business here." Ouch. I got my answer.

I recall when the Olympic broadcast contract came up for renewal before the Salt Lake City Games. As I recall, there were 3 people who had put up bids: ISB, another group that was headed by someone from the Osmond family, and another individual, whom I can't recall offhand. I remember reading about the Osmond bid, and I thought it was quite good. In the end, the IOC decided in favor of ISB, and the rep for the Osmonds said that "we didn't stand a chance." The reasoning, the IOC said was that we "wanted to go with someone who had experience and whom were were comfortable with."

I recall in the old days that the host network of the country that had the Olympic broadcast became the so-called "host broadcaster." It was that way for years, until complaints surfaced that non-US countries were getting USA-oriented programming. The Canadians howled---although those of us living near Windsor had the luxury of tuning in to Channel 9 which is the CBC station, which was more famous for Hockey Night in Canada, and in the 1960s, Bill Kennedy Showtime, a program that showed a classic movie every afternoon, if we wanted Canadian-specific Olympic (or for that matter, sports programming.)

I've talked to broadcasters since then, and if there is one thing they would love to see is a change in the way the Olympics are broadcast and bidded out. Not all feel this way, but for those that do, those folks sure have valid reasons. Most of them are Games-time complaints about the way they are treated. I sure was witness to that when Manolo came roaring into my boss' office, pointing his finger and yelling about something. He got so loud, I had to close the door, as I was on a service call at the time.

The broadcasters deserve the best. They are paying big bucks for the transmission rights. The Osmond rep made a comment about the "rubber stamp" the IOC gave for Salt Lake City.

I would love to see more competition in this area. The IOC is just now starting to embrace the "new media" (albeit about 10 years too late), and exploring new and different ways to bring Olympic broadcast into your home. But none of that will matter, if there isn't competition for the actual broadcast contract itself.

In my opinion, it is not a valid reason that you are comfortable with someone to award them one of the most important contracts the IOC will ever sign. You want someone with a service mentality, someone that all the broadcasters are comfortable with, and in the end, everyone is happy: the IOC, the host broadcaster, and the 10,000+ accredited media who inhabit the IBC for almost two months of an Olympic year.

The next time the contract comes up for bid again, I propose: to allow companies that have a sincere interest to submit bids and for the IOC to take those bids seriously, OR go back to the old system (that worked quite well, thankyouverymuch), and in that way, everyone is happy: broadcasters, the IOC, and most importantly, your viewers. I have always maintained that if there were several companies bidding, then the actual cost to broadcast would go down, which would benefit every TV station that had Games-time broadcast rights in their home countries.

Of course the host city needs to make a profit. I am not denying them that, but there needs to be a sea-change in the way we think about Olympic broadcasting, and that change can only happen if the broadcasters themselves demand it.

Too many things are rubber-stamped in the Olympic world. The broadcast contract shouldn't be one of them.

Who's it gonna be?

Apologies for the very late start today---everything has been running behind, including yours truly.

Seven cities have thrown themselves into the ring for the 2016 Summer Olympics. I have heard talk that it is the most diverse group in years. No bid books or other info as of yet, but that doesn't stop me from making some initial comments, based on what I have heard so far---plus a little personal handicapping thrown in for good measure.

Baku, Azerbaijan: Could be hurt by the awarding of the 2014 Winter Games to Sochi, Russia. I doubt a former Soviet republic could secure the Summer Games so quickly after Sochi's winter run.

Chicago: Could be hurt by current US policies overseas, including immigration laws. I predict a quick exit NYC-style when the final vote goes down.

Doha, Qatar: Security issues have been raised about a possible Doha bid in the several years before they formally declared. Could be the first city out in the voting.

Madrid: Too soon after the Barcelona Olympics. I heard complaints about rude personnel from those who were there in 1992. Don't think the IOC will vote for a Games to return to Spain so quickly (quickly as in IOC terms.)

Prague: Do they have the space needed to handle the onslaught? I have been there and it is a beautiful city, but there is a severe shortage of accomodation and venues and a massive build-out might not help.

Rio: There has been clamoring for the Games to be awarded to a South American country. If they don't win the Games, they could play spoiler in voting terms for one city that is.

Tokyo: Perfect! Right time, right place and the 1964 Games are remembered fondly by many. History was made back then---and we could see it repeat in 2016. The members of the JOC I have had contact with are gracious, polite and without airs or arrogance---important!


Of course, when bid books come out, there will be more details. I don't think we will see Beijing-style drama on this vote, but with the IOC, you never know! Lots of things could happen---but whoever wins this one will have it had "right and tight" from the start.

Bring it on!

Friday's Random Thoughts

The end of another week...we're getting some much-needed rain here, but as usual, it's never enough. I am envious of anyone with a green lawn!



Admit it...you just HAD to tune in last Sunday night to the Britney Spears train wreck.

I'll take Kid Rock over Tommy Lee in a fight any day---gotta support my hometown boy!

You know that fall is near when baseball announcers start talking about 'less than 20 games left in the regular season.'

I will NEVER complain about another mailing solicitation from AARP again....this week I got a piece of junk mail for a senior assisted living center (at MY age!)

I can't wait for the 2009 IOC Session in Denmark. It's in October, which is more manageable for weather. When we were in Moscow and Singapore, the local ambulance was rolling up almost every other day to take folks to local hospitals.

Can't wait to read the Rosie O'Donnell book "Celebrity Detox"---it sounds like a gossipy read (especially after what she said about Baba Wawa this week.)

If there is one thing I can't stand it's someone who doesn't return emails---are you listening Sam Williams, President of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce?

How about an IOC Session in the United States? (hint hint)


We're back on Monday! See you then.

The Cog in the Yog

At the Guatemala IOC Session in July, there was approval to start the Youth Olympic Games. The bewildered faces on the assembled media said it all---and most of the talk I heard afterward was negative. I really didn't see anyone championing the cause as it seemed it was just sprung upon us, without warning.

I can see one major concern on the horizon that no one has mentioned. Cities that have consistantly lost out on their Olympic bids (think Istanbul, and they are going for 2020 if what various reports saying are correct) or who are deemed by the IOC not good enough to host the "real" Olympics will be steered to the YOG instead. From what I understand, the costs are to be much less than hosting the regular Olympics and I could see in the future, the IOC requiring future bid cities to have a YOG under their belt (or a YOG bid) before moving up to the bigger prize.

OTOH, potential bid cities have ponied up in droves. It's going to be interesting to see how all this works out, as it seems there are a plethora of cities who want to host the 1st. Some of the bid cities have hosted either previous Olympics or IOC Sessions. I am just not convinced---at least not yet.

I am also concerned about very young competitors in an international environment. I'm not so sure putting someone younger than, say, 13 or 14 in such situations is conducive to mental and physical growth. One only has to look at the former East German swimmers, who today are adults and are battling a host of various medical problems and issues.

Let kids BE kids---and not try to push them into adult endeavors before they are ready, physically or emotionally.

What a Boor! (bad attitudes re-defined and the consequences)

I was watching the last 15 minutes of a rerun of "America's Next Top Model" tonight. It's a show I don't normally watch (who has the time for TV nowadays-I can barely squeeze in 15 minutes of CNN and I've got a pile of unread newspapers downstairs), but I was flipping channels wating for the Tigers game to start. There were 4 models left and Tyra and the judges had to select which one was going home that night. 3 of the models went on a verbal rampage against one girl, all because she wouldn't go out with them that night. One girl said she was "lazy" "has a bad attitude" "doesn't have what it takes" and various other insundry comments. In the end, it was the model with the loud mouth and bad attitude that Tyra and her team told to go home. The girl who was the target of the attacks and intimidation was generally acknowledged not to have the best photographs that night, but had a good record overall thruout the competition up to that point.

There is a lesson to be learned here. You might have the best track record, your overall work record can be good, and you might even be favored by the judges. But if it is your attitude that is not what it should be, there's a good chance you are going home. I see it all the time when I am asked to judge pageants. Someone that holds so much promise completely blows it.

That is why I was not surprised at NYC's quick exit from the 2012 Olympic voting. I talked to someone at the Prague 2003 IOC Session about what New York's chances were and he was quite blunt: "We all sympathise with what happened in NYC on 9/11 but we don't award the Games based on sympathy. And that is all they have going for them at this point."

I was in the lobby of the Raffles Plaza resting my weary feet. All of a sudden I heard some raised voices and looked up to see Mayor Bloomberg jamming his fingers into the eyes of what looked like a hotel manager. He was quite upset---and his voice got louder and louder. "You WILL do what *I* say and WHEN I say it-AM I MAKING MYSELF COMPLETELY CLEAR?" You could have heard a pin drop in the hotel---everything ground to a halt. I am not sure what the original issue was, but the outburst sure got the attention of some of the voting members of the IOC who were in the lobby waiting to go to a hosted dinner outside the hotel.

At that point, I knew New York just kissed their Olympic chances goodbye for good.

After the vote was over, I talked to one of the voting members (just to get his take and to see if my theory held correct.) He was straightforward: "If you can't handle the bid process, how in the world are you going to handle issues if we award you the Games?"

Let that be a lesson to everyone---you could be at the top of your game, but if your values of fair play and decency aren't in the right place, the Olympics have no business coming to your city.

A friend of mine used to work in the IOC Press Office. She said to me one day that "you should see some of the emails that come into our office from press people. When we see your name pop up, we don't have to worry about opening one of yours. But some people...you've been around us for awhile, and I think you know who some of these people are."

Sigh. I sure do.

There is one guy that seems to be on my case at every IOC Session. I'm one of the few people who won't jump to his tune---and he knows it and it drives him crazy. I told a friend of mine (who also writes about Olympic issues) and said to her that one day, someone is going to call this guy out and he ought to worry less about what *I* am doing and pay more attention to what he came to the Session for. It's similar to the situation with the model that I described above, in fact, I said to my friend it's like the little kid who didn't get his way on the playground, and acts out in ways that are totally unacceptable.

I've got a pretty thick skin. I am so busy at a Session that I honestly don't have to time to think about what other people are doing or saying, since I am trying to take care of my own business. I wouldn't even dream of trying to intimidate someone else. I realise I caught a lucky break in 2001---and ran with it. I had my "ducks in a row" back then and I do now. People have been willing to help along the way and I have tried to return the favor. I am very much aware the past seven years could have happened to someone else, and I am quite humbled at the opportunities that have been afforded to me.

Besides, I don't want to be the person who walks into a room and people say "oh, it's her again..." Admitted, we are all after the same stuff, we want to be first with the story that no one else gets. I've always maintained there is room for everyone---and a good attitude will take you far, not just in the Olympics, but in life.

And that's something we all can write home about!

9-11-2001

Lest we forget

The Stuff You Never Hear About (at least the stuff that never gets made public)

You see and hear a lot as a volunteer---sometimes even more than you would ever want to know. Especially if you work in the International Broadcast Center (which is where I was in 1996) or the Olympic Village, two venues that were designated as "high security" areas in Atlanta. I was fortunate to have two of the best bosses one could ask for. One guy worked at BellSouth, the other was retired from 30 years in the Navy.

You are guarenteed to run into situations that training never covered. In our particular office, we were instructed on how to handle everything from upset athletes (let them talk it out), defectors (lock them in the front office where we were, and don't let anyone else in for their safety, then notify law enforcement), to bomb calls (the form was tacked up right in front of our phone, and take the call very seriously, then notify law enforcement.)

One afternoon I got a phone call from a manager at a major European radio station. He was *very* upset with our security team and wanted to talk to someone NOW about it and said some items were taken away from him that he wanted back. Not sure what to make of this, I went downstairs to see what I could do, if anything.

I went into his office and sat down. He finished his phone call and turned to me. He said he'd come in for his daytime shift and wasn't very appreciative of the way he was treated. As I feel we in the IBC are in the service business, I asked him what items were taken and what I could do to help.

"I want my six-pack of beers back!"

Oh.

And---he was serious.

We had a rule in the IBC that no outside food or drink could be brought in. But I sensed this situation was different, due to the fact that said broadcaster got a bit verbally roughed up in the process. I said that I would see what could be done and went downstairs to talk to the security person in question. She admitted that she took the beers (it was close to 100 degress that day and I had a feeling where those beers were headed after she got off work.) I gently explained to her that I had an upset broadcaster downstairs, and I thought it was prudent that either 1: she return the booze or 2: he comes upstairs to claim the items. It was her choice.

Later on that day, I got a very appreciative call from the guy. He was enjoying a very cold brew (they had a fridge in the office) and it took the edge off what was a very rough day in his office.

Another day, I was talking to one of the maids that worked mornings. She was thisclose to quitting and I asked her why. "Have you SEEN the condition of the bathrooms in the mornings? It's nasty!" As my work schedule started at 10:30AM, I was not aware of the early-morning issues, although I got briefed by the girl who worked the night shift. But our fellow volunteer never told us *this*!

Seems the maid came in and found several used prophylatics, in both the men's and women's restrooms. 10,000 broadcasters. 2500 volunteers. You do the math. But leave me out of it!

On a more serious note, the day of Opening Ceromony challenged us the most. It was late afternoon and I was finishing up some paperwork when a woman came screaming into our office to evacuate right away. As I could see the West entrance from my office, and the looks of the people who already were leaving, I knew this was serious.

We were out for close to six hours. My boss was starting to think of sending people home, as it was getting dangerously too hot to be outside. Of all the times to be evacuated, this wasn't one of them.

We were let back in at 7PM. Later on that evening, we found out how serious it was. Apparently, a volunteer coming in for the afternoon shift found a box that looked strange. Strange it was: with a timer, wires, and what looked like dynamite attached. We later found out it was the real thing---and when I got home, seeing the bomb squad pull up to the front of the World Congress Center and how gingerly they handled everything gave me a sigh of relief. What I didn't care too much for was the spin afterward.

The next morning, I heard various stories about what happened. That it was a UPS test. Then it was a GBI training exercise. The version that was released to the public was some banal excuse.

I talked to one of the GBI guys and his eyes got real wide. "They said it was WHAT?" He shook his head. Then I got the real story, which was the same thing my boss got in a manager's meeting that afternoon.

I asked him what would have happened if...he said that NBC and CBC had contingency plans and everyone else would be sent home.

We in our office talked often about the sanitized version the public was being fed. And how us on the inside were getting the real story because we were living it every day.

That is one thing that really makes me upset---11 years later, Atlanta is still taking it on the chin about how the Games were run. Who can forget Juan Antonio Samaranch's comments at the Closing Ceromonies, a major diss, when he said that the Games were "most excellent" instead of the customary "best ever." There are some of us who worked pretty damm hard. I myself put in close to 80 hours a week for six weeks.

Next time I hear Juan Antonio shoot off his mouth about Atlanta again, I am jumping to the defense of thousands of volunteers who made the Games a success and who really cared about their service and their venues. It isn't fair to us who were there.

Let it go JAS. Or if you want to say something about Atlanta, make it a positive comment, because I know you saw many things we did RIGHT.

But then, the spin sometimes gets in the way.