5. The Kit

This week I went to collect my uniform - exciting!  Beige trakkies, purple and red polo and matching light jacket - we'll look just like this:

(except we won't be looking up into the distance, we'll be running around shouting into radios and cellphones, both at the same time.  Also, unlikely that  Dick Dastardly and Muttley will be hanging out with us).


Here is what London 2012 had to say about the uniform:

The design of the uniform has drawn inspiration from the heritage and culture of the UK, influenced by the historic Grenadier Guards uniform and sporting heritage but also reflecting British modern design.

The colour scheme is based upon a contemporary twist of a regal purple and poppy red and will provide a distinctive look, allowing Games Makers to stand out in the crowd.

Here are the matching purple and red shoes we are wearing - a mixture of sports and high fashion:

Just kidding!  Uniforms are sponsored by Adidas, duh!


I was also given my accreditation - an A5 laminated ID pass that must be worn clipped around the neck at all times.  This is what distinguishes someone who has back of house access only, to someone who go to front of house, or even field of play.  According to my accreditation, it looks like I won't even get a glimpse into any of the arenas, as I only have back of house access. If you don't have the right accreditation for a particular venue, you can't get in (unless, of course, you have a ticket to an event).  

I also got a tiny satchel:

(This person has really small hands, cos they make the bag look kind of normal-sized - it's not, it really is tiny!)

That's the only bag you're allowed to take into the venue as a workforce member, and that has to fit your water bottle, and a fold up umbrella - well, the games are going to take place during an English summer, and I was half expecting something like this to be part of the uniform:  

(sadly, nothing like this in the uniform bag).

On Friday I met a Canadian girl who is a criminal defence lawyer in real life, but for the summer she is, like me, a deputy venue transport manager (for one of the venues within Olympic Park).  She had also worked at the winter Olympics in Vancouver in 2010.  From her experience, she suggested getting shoes half a size bigger than normal, and really thick padded sports socks, as your feet swell from so much standing and walking around every day.  Yikes!  I'd already picked up my shoes (in my normal size) by then, and we are also issued grey adidas socks - but I think I will be buying a couple of pairs of thicker sports socks just in case... and lots of plasters!