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Media Team

5 shifts in the Mixed Zone.

• Escorting Athletes through the Mixed Zone to speak to the press.
• Checking the race start list as athletes come through the Mixed Zone.
• Helping the camera operator with upcoming race lists and timings. Directing athletes around the camera.
• General tasks in the Mixed Zone

Mixed Zone

The Eclipse

I happened to be on shift for the eclipse. Mr T had organised a pair of solar glasses to take with me. The track action wasn’t due to start until 8pm so we had a great opportunity to view the eclipse from the gantry. If i had 50p for everyone I loaned my glasses to I would have made a fortune. Word got out and security guards, officials, volunteers all suddenly appeared wanting to try my glasses.

Protocol

Win, loose or draw, after an athlete finishes a race they have to go through the Mixed Zone. They are not obliged to speak to any of the media but they have to walk through the zone. Some athletes are so physically exhausted that they are physically sick. A supply of sick bags and water are strategically placed behind the advertising boards ‘just in case’! Once they have completed media they go to collect their kit, hand in their transponders which are stored in a pocket on their numbers attached to their running vests. Final piece of protocol to carry out is a shoe check, making sure they meet regulations.

FInal Thoughts

A great insight into what happens off-the-track! I met some interesting people and got to see the athletes personalities off the track. Media is a very competitive and busy area to work in where time never stands still, it is almost like working in the future. You already know the history (the race) you get the inside info (the interview) before the world sees it. You leave the media zone after the shift and then get deja-vous the next day when you see something or read something you already know. Media is ever evolving, social media, bloggers and influencers working for the press are all now included in ‘The Media’. You never know who is watching. I found myself getting caught on camera very briefly on a reel from Birmingham Athletics during an interviewing Matthew Hudson Smith.

That’s all for now next stop Women’s Tour of Britain Cycle Race.