OLYMPIC SECURITY AND ACCREDITATIONS
Olympic Security and Accreditations
 In
order for me to work with the Eventing Team in the Olympic Equestrian
Park backside which included stabling, rings, athletes cafeteria, ten
minute box for cross country, etc. I needed accreditations granted by
the Canadian Olympic Committee. London strictly limited the amount of
accreditations(accreds) each country was allowed. Each country applied
for and was primarily allowed accreds for one farrier, vet, coach,
physiotherapist, owners, chef de quipe, one groom per horse and rider
for each discipline. Needless to say, the accreditations, or simply put,
passes were extremely limited.
 In
order to physically get into the stabling area, I had to pass through
three sets of security. The first security area was staffed with
soldiers screening with metal detectors, similar to the screening
currently used at airports. Water bottles, liquids, sharp objects etc.
were not allowed into the stabling. My accreditations were scanned each
day on a computer to make sure my accreds were up to date and eligible
for entrance. The second screening was into the backside in general. I
had to show my photo ID accreditation to enter via a very large fenced
area guarded by two staff personnel or soldiers.
The third screening was the stabling entrance.
This was secured by another pair of soldiers. There I needed to show my
photo ID and a separate stabling pass. The accreditations had my photo
and different letters and numbers each indicating where I was allowed to
enter within the entire Olympic Park.
 Having
accreditations allowed me easy access to any Olympic venue, and even in
the Heathrow airport! When I arrived and took my first step off of the
plane, I was greeted by a lovely volunteer, who read my accreditations
and then separated me from the general public and walked me through the
Olympic Family line for customs etc. She made sure I did not have to
even think about negotiating Heathrow. She even brought me to a coffee
shop and ordered me a coffee!! The accreditations and passes allowed me
unusual freedom and privilege to most any activity!
Now I am back to the ordinary doldrums of daily
life challenges.
|
