Networking of Olympic proportions

The training is over and the work now begins in earnest at the Olympics.  Behind the scenes, arguably the largest collection of global communication experts are gathering and the networking is fierce.

It may be the calm before the storm as far as sport, spectators and general media activity is concerned.  Yet the Olympic venues in London and further afield are already alive with the familiar sound of networking communicators.

All quiet on the spectator front!

The teams that are now in place to support the 25,000+ accredited media at the 2012 Olympics appear to be a gathering of some of the most experienced sports, media and communication experts from around the world.

As the teams complete their training and start the practical work of gearing up for the Opening Ceremony and the early sporting events, the complex web of communications is finally coming together and networking skills are very much to the fore.

In this case, however, these skills are much less the 'keeping in touch after a conference' kind of networking (although that will certainly come later) and much more about cementing relationships with the vital team members that can make or break the post-event activity for both athletes and journalists alike.  Simply ensuring everyone is in the right place, with the right accreditation, as the athletes finish their event is a logistical challenge.

But what is so immediately striking is the incredible diversity of experience.  Multi-lingual in many cases, the media teams have come from all over the world and, for many of them, this is just the latest in a long list of major sporting events on their CVs - from previous Olympics, to rubgy and football World Cups and major sporting Championships.

For some, travelling from event Press Office to championship Mixed Zone is a full time occupation.  For others, this is a part-time adrenaline-rush; an aside from full-time occupations ranging from corporate comms and public affairs directors to crisis managers, event organisers, sponsorship specialists and even a professor of aerodynamics.

But in every case, they have a love of sport and a passion for communication - oh, and they're pretty good at networking too.

Published 15th July, 2012

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