PE teacher enjoys ‘roller-coaster’ Olympic Games
A DELIGHTED teacher had a summer to remember after acting as a Games Maker at one of the world’s biggest sport events.
Hilary MacGuire, PE teacher at Lenzie Academy, was one of the official Games Makers at the London 2012 Olympic Games – working in the Olympic Stadium in London as part of the athletics equipment team.
As well as amazing memories, Hilary (51) also has another priceless memento – one of the relay batons used in the 4x100m event when the world record was smashed by Jamaica.
She said: “There were so many wonderful moments and some stressful too.
“It was similar to being on a roller-coaster with many highs and some lows, usually sore feet and tiredness.”
Highlights included meeting and talking to some of the world’s most famous athletes as they passed by – including Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis, Greg Rutherford, Johan Blake and the legendary Usain Bolt.
Hilary, from Milton of Campsie, said: “Usain was a very friendly, cheeky, larger-than-life character. After he won both the 100m and 200m golds, I asked him to try to achieve gold and a world record with his team in the 4x100m relay – “yes ma’am” said Bolt as he gave me a high five!”
It was also incredibly hard work for Hilary and the Games Makers, with shifts starting at 7am, often ending at 11pm.
But she said: “Seeing these athletes prior to competing – mainly quiet, full of concentration and often very nervous, then emerging from the tunnel to face 80,000 spectators is definitely awe-inspiring.
“When Jess, Greg and Mo won gold, the stadium literally reverberated with the noise level – better than any rock concert.”
For the full story see this week’s Herald.
Have you got a story, picture or comment? E-mail kirkyherald@jnscotland.co.uk
Alternatively you can call the newsdesk 0141 775 0040, find us on Facebook or visit us on Twitter
Or you can log in below and have you say on the site...
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Kirkintilloch
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
