Olympic Glory

The Olympic Games and I have a solid history.

In 2003, I was living in Vancouver working at The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. Having just graduated from university, I wanted some time without school to try and work my way up to their PR department.

While I was there, I was always looking for opportunities that could add to my CV that would look impressive. The GM of our hotel was on the bid committee for the 2010 Olympic Games. He made it a big deal at the hotel, rounding up support with other hospitality companies and with our staff. I made my way to his office one day to see if I could volunteer with the PR team, but instead he convinced me to initiate ideas for our staff to get involved in the bid. With his support, I organized some events for the employees.

As we were getting close to the announcement of the Olympic host city, rumours were on our side. A few of us who had gotten involved (and invested) decided to go to the official announcement. The city opened the arena early and gave us all rally towels while we watched the full ceremony from Prague. We were there (live at 5am!!!!) when they announced Vancouver would host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. I found this video and it still gives me chills knowing I was there in the audience.

Of course, this was seven years before the event would actually take place. The following year I moved to Toronto to take a post-grad PR course. As we inched closer to 2010, the media company I worked for had the broadcast rights. Because it was on home soil, it was a bigger deal than usual. The PR team for Vancouver 2010 would be led by sports PR guru Andrea Goldstein and after presenting her plan to the Communications team, she asked us if we had any Olympic stories.

I sure did.

A few weeks later we were asked to submit reasoning why we should be selected to work at The Games. I, once again, elaborated on this moment and I was eventually chosen to be on-site for 25 days in Whistler to work with the broadcast team, including my Much crew who was delivering nine hours of youth-related content every day.

It was an incredible opportunity to experience alongside so many friends. Reports were coming from other team members stationed in Vancouver – long hours, lots of stress in addition to some fun. But in Whistler, it was a little different. Long hours for sure, you were always on call because it was just two of us on-site, but little stress and the atmosphere was just amazing.

After that I had the bug. When Andrea left the Olympic broadcaster, serendipitously I had just expressed interest in working on that file. So, I was off to the Olympics – Round 2! (Fun Fact – Olympics isn’t really the proper wording, it’s “Olympic Games” or “Vancouver 2010” and there are more rules which I will never, ever forget).

Although I adore the Winter Games, London 2012 was even more amazing, if you can believe it. I was part of the team for a whole year, so I really got to know everyone, shape the communications strategy, and lead the Toronto team while I was HQ’ed in London.

A major highlight was coordinating an interview with The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry. That’s a story for another day (stay tuned), but I will say, I’ve had far less famous people make my life far more difficult.

The other big highlight was attending the Opening Ceremonies with my VP, Scott Henderson. I was floored and so grateful that I could attend this once-in-a-lifetime event. The ceremony took hours, but it was worth it to see the Canadian athletes in their uniforms walking around the stadium, brimming with passion, pride and patriotism.

After it was over, we realized we were so in the moment we didn’t take any photos. Total bummer, right? Luckily someone mentioned we could likely see ourselves in the arena if we used Google Earth.

And with a lot of zooming, low and behold, there we were. It was brilliant (as the English would say)! Looks like we were analyzing something or figuring out who would get the next round of drinks? We’re not entirely sure, nor does it matter. All that matters is that there is picture proof we were actually there. I mean, who goes to an Opening Ceremony and doesn’t take any photos?!

Amy Doary, that’s who.