Meet the Team
One of the most important parts of your Sportsworld package and experience of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is the service provided by our Olympic Team and China Specialists. We thought you might like to meet some of them now, before you arrive in Beijing.
Event experience: All Olympics since 1996 - Summer and Winter; all Commonwealth Games since 1988; Rugby World Cup 2003; Football World Cup 2006
1) What are you most looking forward to at Beijing 2008?
Working on an Olympic Games in a country with a totally different culture ... and a country where the venues will be ready on time!!
2) What is your favourite memory from an Olympic Games? 
Meeting Sally Gunnell when she had just won her Olympic Gold in 1996! She came into Sportsworld's hospitality area to meet her parents. I was a Sportsworld client that year too!
3) If you had to recommend one thing to do or see in China, what would it be?
Shopping! Bargains galore and amazing pearls!
4) In three words, how would you sum up
the Olympics?
A lifetime experience.
Event experience: I've worked on Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 ticketing for Sportsworld, arranging tickets for a variety of different spectators, from sponsors and National Olympic Committees, through to parents of competitors and the general public visiting their first Games.
1) What are you most looking forward to at Beijing 2008?
The handover to London 2012 during the Closing Ceremony will be very exciting as it will signal the Olympic Games coming to the UK for the first time in 64 years.
2) What is your favourite memory from an Olympic Games?
I was lucky enough to be in Sydney when the British Coxless Four won Gold, which was
Sir Steve Redgrave's record breaking 5th Gold Medal in as many Games.
3) If you had to recommend one thing to do or see in China, what would it be?
I'm new to China too, as my experience is in the event rather than the location, so I'm looking forward to learning more about a fantastic new country.
4) In three words, how would you sum up the Olympics?
Higher, Faster, Stronger, although I think that one has already been done!!
Event experience: I have worked at Industry Air Show events around the world such as AeroIndia
in Bangalore and Avalon in Melbourne. I also worked as a travel agent in Hong Kong for 9 years, specialising in tailor made luxury holidays and corporate travel
1) What are you most looking forward to at Beijing 2008?
The complete and utter cultural difference to any other city in the world.
2) What is your favourite memory from an Olympic Games?
This will be my first attendance, so I guess you'll have to ask me in 18 months!
3) If you had to recommend one thing to do or see in China, what would it be?
Mount Everest National Park in Tibet, it's stunning and very remote.
4) In three words, how would you sum up the Olympics?
Bring it on!
Event experience: All Summer Olympics, Football World Cups, Commonwealth Games since 1996. Rugby World Cup in 2003
1) What are you most looking forward to at Beijing 2008?
Being involved in the successful operation of yet another Olympics. It will certainly be a bonus to work with a host city that will have all of its infrastructure in place well in advance – it will make a nice change!
2) What is your favourite memory from an Olympic Games?
There are too many to list, however one that sticks in my mind was at the Centennial Games in Atlanta in 1996. Stevie Wonder sang happy birthday at the Closing Ceremony on Aug 4th, which just happened to be my birthday too so of course it felt like he was singing it especially for me!!!!!
3) If you had to recommend one thing to do or see in China, what would it be?
A cruise down the Yangtze River
4) In three words, how would you sum up the Olympics?
Exciting, memorable, unforgettable
Event experience: I visited Beijing in April, loved it and can't wait to return to experience my first Olympics!!
1) What are you most looking forward to at Beijing 2008?
Being part of this amazing event and soaking up the atmosphere with our clients.
2) What is your favourite memory from an Olympic Games?
I have never been to an Olympics before but have always followed the games from home, and one of my favourite athletes was Merlene Ottey.
3) If you had to recommend one thing to do or see in China, what would it be?
Great Wall of China - amazing!
4) In three words, how would you sum up the Olympics?
What an experience!
Event experience: I worked for Sportsworld for a short period in the lead up to/during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and then went on to work for a global publishing company in the events department. I spent 3 years planning and organising large, international conferences and exhibitions, but am delighted to have re-joined Sportsworld.
1) What are you most looking forward to at Beijing 2008?
The opportunity to experience my first ever Olympic Games in a country that is completely different to our own, it will be a unique experience. It will also be very exciting when they hand over the games to London.
2) What is your favourite memory from an Olympic Games?
I haven't been to an Olympic Games before, but i remember going on a bike tour around the Olympic Park in Sydney, a month before the games started and standing on the 100 metre track, which was very exciting.
I've always followed the games from home and Kelly Holmes winning Gold twice in Athens was great to watch.
3) If you had to recommend one thing to do or see in China, what would it be?
I'd love to go to Shanghai and also to Tibet
4) In three words, how would you sum up the Olympics?
London Twenty Twelve (i can't wait)!
Event experience: This is my first Olympic event.
1) What are you most looking forward to at Beijing 2008?
I am most looking forward to meeting the clients I have been liaising with to plan their trip to Beijing, and being part of such a huge sporting event in China. I'm sure the atmosphere will be fantastic and like nothing I have ever experienced before. I also hear the shopping is very good too!
2) What is your favourite memory from an Olympic Games?
This is the first Olympic Games I have worked on but I expect the Opening and Closing Ceremonies to be amazing.
3) If you had to recommend one thing to do or see in China, what would it be?
The Pandas in Chengdu.
4) In three words, how would you sum up the Olympics?
I can't wait!
Event experience: This is my first time working in events, and hopefully not my last!
1) What are you most looking forward to at Beijing 2008?
Experiencing a new culture, and being involved in my first Olympic Games
2) What is your favourite memory from an Olympic Games?
Watching Kelly Homes win two gold medals at the 2004 Games - at 34 she is the oldest woman to win either the 800m or the 1,500m, much less both of them!
3) If you had to recommend one thing to do or see in China, what would it be?
I have not yet been to China but I am very eager to visit the UNESCO listed Terracotta Warriors in Xian.
4) In three words, how would you sum up the Olympics?
Unity, Passion, Pride.
Wendy Wu
China Specialist
1) What are you most looking forward to at Beijing 2008?
The Olympics!
2) What is your favourite memory from an Olympic Games?
The Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
3) If you had to recommend one thing to do or see in China, what would it be?
Great Wall
4) In three words, how would you sum up the Olympics?
Excitement, heroic sportsmanship
Event experience: Although I have been working in the Travel Industry for the past 8 years, this is my first Olympic Games and already I am so pleased to be working on such an incredible event with a team that’s so committed to ensuring everyone walks away with a memorable experience.
1) What are you most looking forward to at Beijing 2008?
The atmosphere and the excitement! The Chinese people are very hospitable and know how to put on a show – I am sure they won’t disappoint with Beijing 2008. Oh and maybe some shopping if time permits!
2) What is your favourite memory from an Olympic Games?
Sydney 2000 – the amazing atmosphere that just took over the entire city and the fact that this was felt by both locals and tourist was incredible. Definitely an experience of a lifetime – so glad I was able to see it first hand.
3) If you had to recommend one thing to do or see in China, what would it be?
Without a doubt the Great Wall of China and the Terracotta Warriors – wow!
4) In three words, how would you sum up the Olympics?
Exciting, unforgettable & spectacular
1) What are you most looking forward to at Beijing 2008?
The Olympic Games in Beijing promises to be an exceptional experience for so many reasons. It never ceases to amuse me seeing guests on their first trip to China. They all have different reactions to Chinese cultural differences, they are
astonished at the scale of development in Beijing, they reflect on the history of the country now entering the modern era and they express real interest in the variety of food they encounter.
I am most looking forward to seeing Sportsworld guests’ first reactions in Beijing. That look of sheer amazement is exhilarating to see.
2) What is your favourite memory from an Olympic Games?
The glass of champagne shared at the end of the Games with the Sportsworld team after a tremendous job well done. Planning an Olympic Games programme takes years of planning and preparation. Seeing it all come to fruition with very satisfied customers at the end makes it very worth while.
3) If you had to recommend one thing to do or see in China, what would it be?
On my first trip to China I went on a run early one morning around the Forbidden City. It was fascinating to see everyone interacting with the City in their own unique way. Some were fishing, some doing Tai Chi or in prayer groups, others were just enjoying the tranquillity. You can only begin to imagine what the City walls would say if they could speak.
4) In three words, how would you sum up the Olympics?
Consuming, emotive, thrilling