What's on my mind? The Olympics: Sacrifice, status and service

If you asked me when I was really little what I wanted to do, I’d say be an Olympic athlete. I loved running, I loved skiing (winter or summer) and to be honest it didn’t matter what sport it was, I just wanted to go. Even race-walking could have been on the cards since my husband tells me I might win judging by my fast-paced commute into the office! Haha!

I wanted to be super fit, feel the power of Team USA and maybe a small part of me wanted the feeling of representing my country on the podium.

50 years later, I AM going to the Olympics. I’m going to Paris 2024 as a spectator as I’ve decided that might now be the best way for me to go! I will cheer on Team GB and chant “USA! USA!” to support my dual citizenship. I’ll also chant for the refugees and the amazing athletes in the Paralympics. I’ll root for the underdog and the last person to cross the line - no matter what country they come from. The sacrifice that’s required to make it to this level is enormous and I think just getting to compete on the Paris stage is worth some massive applause!

I’ll make best friends for a day in the stands and give high-fives to strangers. I’ll lose my voice and wear my country(ies) colours - luckily they are the same :). I’ll get tired from standing and be overwhelmed by all of the events on the field. I’ll take in the sights and probably cry when I see the flame up in the sky.

So, I’ll have ticked this off my bucket list and maybe I’ll come home and take that race-walking or weight-lifting a little more seriously through the inspiration I bring back.

It’s the one time that nations have immense pride and flaunt their traditions. It’s also the time when the world comes together as one unified team - wearing the Olympic colours. Representing peaceful competition, genuine care for each other, beauty of the host nation opening her arms for all to enjoy some celebration champagne and eat some snails :)

It’s the one place where English is a second language for 90% of the afterparty but it doesn’t matter because there’s an underlying understanding of sacrifice by all who attend. A moment to enjoy the friendships that develop without time zones or geo-politics.

And it’s not just the athletes. It’s the friends, families, volunteers and companies that enable the world to see this amazing competition. The telecommunications industry being one of them!

We partner across the world, making extraordinary connections to allow everyone, in every country around the world to experience major sporting events like the Olympics. You can turn on your TV and watch the broadcast all day, every day for the entire competition. This does not happen overnight. It takes months and sometimes years to install and turn up the fibres, enabling the 5G to ensure a seamless broadcast.

This year, I get to fulfil my dream of going to the games. I also get to watch the Olympics from the luxury of my couch because the industry’s telco athletes – the engineers, the service delivery teams - make it possible.

So next time you watch your team score that goal, lift that weight or cross that finish line, I ask you to not only clap and scream for the athletes but also give thanks to the telecoms industry for doing what we do best - delivering extraordinary connections around the world through the universal language of data communications!