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AIBA World Boxing Championships Chicago One Volunteers View
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It all began with me being contacted by the Chicago Tour Guide Professionals Association email looking for volunteers for the World Boxing Championships. Having no idea exactly what was involved, I figured it would be an opportunity for me to hone my skills in the hospitality biz. I followed the instructions to sign up and waited for the response. I started thinking, I'm not really a fan of boxing, having it come between golf and hockey on my least favorite list of sports. I still wanted to participate and figured I wouldn't really have to see boxing if I was working hospitality at the Palmer House. I signed up for working with the press as well.
I got the email back about the website and attended the orientation meeting. My excitement grew after seeing at the orientation meeting all that would be involved and the magnitude and impact this would have for Chicago's chances for the Olympics. I wanted to help Chicago shine and I knew my part would be small if I were one of hundreds of volunteers anticipated. I figured this would be as close to the Olympics in Chicago as it was going to happen for now. And I knew the city would be going all out and I wanted to be a part of that.
After picking up my uniform and receiving tickets for the preliminaries, I really began to wonder what this would be like and how it was all going to come together. When picking up my credentials because I was working with the press, I knew I was really in.
On my first day, I was checking in managers, trainers and boxers. It was great the first time I got to say “Welcome to Chicago” and explain the events, services and activities that would be involved with their stay in our city. It was interesting that I had to make sure they knew our water was safe to drink. That's when it dawned on me that some coming from other counties don't have access to the water we have and it's not fit to drink. We had to make sure they knew the water here was ok, even out of the tap. Even with language barriers and translators (who played a huge role) we were able to communicate on all levels. My attempts at the few phrases I know in a few languages proved to be valuable in getting a smile from some of the travel weary participants.
Many of the participants had traveled at least 24 hours by the time they got to me to get settled in a room. They wanted the vital information quickly in order to get some rest. Most mentioned they had been treated well by the time they got to me after arriving at the airport. I was dealing with managers and trainers at this point, it wasn't until later that I got to interact with the boxers.
I continued at check in for the next four days. By this time I was hooked, and with the enthusiasm of my fellow volunteers, I wanted to see the outcome of what was beginning here. Seeing people from countries I never even knew existed, I realized what a melting pot Chicago really is with most of these cultures represented here in the city. People from the far east to down under and all places in between, I noticed how the cultures are blended as you move across the world. All that is here in Chicago.
The day of the opening ceremonies, I didn't have a specific position. I wanted to be able to be part of the parade and requested a country to escort. It was ironic that I was given Guatemala to escort as I helped check them in a few days earlier. The trainer and the manager did not speak English but we were able to communicate just the same. They were surprised to see me when the teams were forming for the parade. One of the Guatemalan boxers spoke English and did translation. It was such a great feeling as the teams were sitting with their country's place card and flag and to hear how many of the volunteers knew so many languages. As the room filled with the teams, it sounded like the UN with all the languages that were heard. The colors and the atmosphere were filled with fun. Cameras were everywhere.
As the parade proceeded down State street, I felt this was as close to the Olympics as I was ever going to get. I was surprised at the amount of people viewing the procession, I thought there would be more. The teams were having fun taking photos of the spectators as they walked down State street and those cheering for their home country. It was great to walk across the stage of the Chicago Theatre and introduce Guatemala.
On day six of my time as a volunteer, I worked in the Internet cafe located just off the dining area at the Palmer House. The room filled with twenty computers was always busy. At the cafe we would monitor the time the athletes spent on the computer and make sure everyone got a chance. The limit was fifteen minutes when the cafe was busy but in any language, that was never enough time. To see how many of the athletes had their own computers and were taking advantage of the wifi and voIp was a true acknowledgment of the technological age. Some were communicating half way around the world at what ever time it may have been in their country. They always seemed in good spirits while online. There were a couple of athletes who were enjoying their favorite Russian comedian online, though you couldn't understand the jokes, the laughter was easy to translate. It was difficult to get them to end their session as others were waiting. I found my computer skills called on as I helped with sign in and site navigation, in languages other than English.
In the Internet cafe I realized the age range of the athletes. Some were so young I'm sure this could have been their first time away from home. It wasn't until I would see them again in the cafe after a bout that I truly realized they are here as boxers and to see their faces with the scars of their sport was a bit unsettling for me.
Dining among the athletes was an opportunity to learn more about the cultures. The large dining area set up at the Palmer House was conducive for interaction. Some who did speak English took pride in speaking about their home. There was always conversation about the weather. A few thought it was too cold, and for the Chicagoan, it was fantastic weather, October in the 60's. The athletes took advantage of the fruits and beverages available as they bought them into the Internet cafe after meals.
Day eight I was at the UIC Pavilion where the bouts took place. Working with the press I was put on the floor immediately to 'spot' the photographers to make sure they stayed within their boundaries. I was closer than ringside in that position. I could hear the shoes on the mat and the punches to the boxers. Being that up close and personal, it was hard not to look. Between paying attention to the photographers and watching the matches, I began seeing style and technique. After being rotated out of that area I was moved over to help lead the boxers and trainers to the media area. It was so early in the preliminaries there was no press for the boxers to meet. Seeing the boxers in their element was totally different from seeing them in the Internet cafe, you saw what they were really there to do.
It was the up close and personal nature of seeing the sport first hand, I knew I wanted to see the Championships to the end. Interacting with other volunteers and staff you got the feeling of everyone working to make this the best event ever.
The athletes, trainers and managers were given a day of rest. That day I helped out at Hotel 71 where the R/Js (referee/judges) were located. A day of sight seeing was planned. I hoped I would be able to put my tour guide skills to work. The thing to consider was they really had to be sights as the languages wouldn't let all hear or read the explanation of what they were seeing.
We took the R/Js first to Wrigley Field, where they took photos in front of the marquee. We were able to peer into the ballpark as they were resurfacing the field. Then we traveled on through Lincoln Park past the zoo, the gardens and the conservatory where we stopped at the Chicago History Museum. We spent time in the museum where they were able to see most things Chicago. We bought the R/Js back to Hotel 71 for lunch and to plan for the afternoon sights.
After lunch those that were still interested convened for more sights. We took the group first to the Michael Jordan statue at the United Center. It was a total photo opportunity all enjoyed. Then the drive by Oprah's Studio where most knew of her, repeating her name. It was another opportunity for photos in front of Harpo Studio. We drive through Greek town where we return later that evening for dinner. The sights continue to a stop in Chinatown for a bit of quick shopping. Continuing the tour of Chicago sights, we stop at the Museum campus by the Planetarium for the best photo op of the Chicago skyline. At this point, we divide the group, those that want to continue on to the Aquarium and those who want to go back to the hotel. We had a packed bus for our short trip up to the Aquarium. The other volunteers along with the R/Js were free to explore the Aquarium.
Dinner in Greek town at the Parthenon with the R/Js was a chance to learn more about the R/Js role during the Championships and the rules of AIBA. There was only one R/J who did not speak any English. Upon arriving at the restaurant, I asked if by any chance they had someone there who spoke Russian. There was a server who spoke Serbian and he was able to communicate with the R/J. There were three volunteers, five R/Js , the staff person and two friends, we all enjoyed great conversation, the traditional flaming cheese and great Greek dishes.
Day twelve, I'm back at UIC in the press room assisting with getting information out to the media that was present. It was still early in the preliminaries and not many from the press were present. I was able to see the bouts on the screens in the press room. It wasn't the same as being in the arena as you were at the mercy of what the camera wanted to show. I worked another shift and this time I was out in the arena near the floor making sure the videographers were in the proper area and monitoring their shooting time. It was fascinating to see the bouts and who was moving ahead. I began to have my favorites.
Talking with other volunteers, they had their favorites also and I was able to learn more about the different positions and duties performed. Everyone had their stories of their interaction with the boxers and their trainers and managers and having a good time working at the Championships. We all were pulling for Team USA. Being in the position of monitoring the media I was able to offer congratulations to boxers as they left the floor. Some were surprised to see me at the arena remembering me from the Internet cafe.
From day twelve on, I was at the Pavilion for the afternoon and evening sessions working with the press. Speaking with the press attache from England, who was in Chicago for the first time, he was quite impressed with the city and how things were going with the Championships. Offering assistance whenever possible, everyone I spoke with was having a good time. Even with those who didn't speak English were able to communicate their delight with the events.
It was the first time ever, I had seen some one actually throw in the towel. I fully understood what was happening as this boxer was not ever going to recover to catch up and his trainer knew it. I was stunned and had to say out loud, “He threw in the towel!” To see it done and understand what it means in that context gave it a whole new meaning. I saw it twice during the course of the Championships.
As the finals drew near one young boxer I had been following from Argentina, made it to the quarterfinals in the welterweight 69kg category. Diego was gracious during his bout apologizing for a blow he made after the referee had made a call. The young Argentinian boxer lost that bout but on his way from the ring he stopped in the VIP section to say hello to Evander Holyfield. Holyfield had been a guest in the audience for several days viewing the bouts. The announcer then mentioned Holyfield's place in the audience as Diego had his photo taken with Holyfield. This was shown on the large screen while the crowd applauded. It was Diego's brush with a boxing legend, a photo to show the folks back in Argentina. Diego, I'm sure, will always remember having his photo taken with Evander Holyfield during the Championships in Chicago.
As the finals got closer, more of the boxers who were eliminated were on hand to cheer on their team mates. The crowds grew larger and the guests got more important. The excitement was building and the press was prominent. The boxers were being stopped after their bouts to speak with the press and the volunteer translators were prepared. Russian was the hot language for translation as they were advancing quickly with boxers in each class. There was more media on hand with equipment that needed to be monitored. We had to keep them in their designated area and monitor their time.
On the afternoon of the finals, it was the culmination of what the two weeks were about. There were more volunteers on hand. The press volunteers were briefed on what was to be expected and how to monitor the press. As much as I wanted to be in the arena for the finals, I volunteered to stay in the press room to help with the boxers as they arrived for their press conference after winning the medals in their class. They only showed a portion of the medal ceremony on the screen in the press room and I missed the reactions of the crowd.
It was a heart warming to welcome and congratulate the medaled boxers to the press conference. Some of the boxers upon seeing the tables filled with press people on their computers were reluctant to come into the press area. I had to reassure and usher them in and make sure they knew it was OK. The Italians made a point of telling me they spoke no English, but they did understand and responded partially in English. The translators were on hand and all questions were answered. The photographers got the shots they needed.
When it was all over some of the remaining volunteers gathered for photos in the ring. It was the end of what was a fun and for me educational three weeks. This is as close as I think I will get to the Olympic experience. I have a new respect for boxing, on the amateur level anyway, and will keep my eye out for those who were my favorites. I'll be watching Beijing in '08 and look forward to seeing these boxers again. I'll miss singing out loud the National Anthem and the other volunteers who would sing with me.
Boxing isn't so bad, as long as you know the rules and besides, they have great footwear. Chicago and the Olympics, we've had a practice session and I think we'll get it right.
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Gina V Driskell
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