Anne's blog travel 06-07

It's Sunday. The beginning of the week (well we worked yesterday of course) here. A friend of mine texted me before I left Australia and he wrote: "Remember, when you see a pretty camel you know it's time to come home!".
Ahh, that's not fair to camels Simon...this photo is for you.

Just moved to my official work room. The place looks really good. We have 40 plasma screens elevated high above rows of workbenches. Computers at the ends of the row will allow journalist to print the start lists and all the info provided on INFO. INFO is a system that has links and provides all the athletes biographies, the event schedules, official start lists, prelimary and official results and even information on the weather and Doha. This system is provided at Olympic games and also at the Commonwealth Games, most World Cup. We also have three big screens which will show whatever sports I decide it should on the day. The sounds on all the screens will be turned off and five televisions with headsets are also provided for those who want to watch a game or a competitions from those seats. Internet access PC with Photoshop and other application are also provided so that those journalist who don't have a PC may use them to produce their stories and email or fax through us.

Faxing here is provided free of charge. I can tell the Journalists and broadcasters will love the facilities because of that and the fact they get two free meals a day (just for coming here) and only have to pay US$6 if they want another "all you can eat"buffet meal. They always love the freebies.

On top of which we are the only venue (MMC - Main Media Centre) which has a licensed bar on the premises. I realise that this may not seem like much but in a country in which alcohol is illegal and prohibited, it has been a battle for this to be accepted. I worry about the journos and broadcasters and their drinking habits. If they start carrying on, the bar will definately be closed. Around the corner from the bar (called "The Mirage") is the prayer room.

Accross from where I'm posted (with my team in the future) are rows upon rows of pigeon holes where start lists, heat results, preliminary results and final results will be distributed for collection by those working in this room. Those results must be available within a few minutes from end of competition. The four hundred seats in this room will not be busy until a few days before competition. Our centre is operational from 7am to 7pm from the 15th. It will go 24 hours per day as of the 24th until the 16th of December.

Tonight is Job specific training and I'm just hoping my volunteers can communicate in english to be able to help the Press. Fingers crossed or I'll be here 24 hours per day.

Bye for now