London 2012: Haringey volunteers reflect on helping make the Games

by Flora Drury Saturday, August 18, 2012
3:00 PM

There are always a few surprise stars of the Olympics - the sculling sloth, for one - but this year there were thousands of them, including a number of Haringey residents.

The volunteers in their purple and orange outfits became synonymous with London 2012, credited by many for creating the happy atmosphere which has pervaded in London the last few weeks.

Peta Isaac had seen it before, and was eager to volunteer. The 34-year-old, of Ferme Park Road, Crouch End, originally had misgivings about the Olympics arriving in her hometown of Sydney in 2000.

“But the second it started, it was amazing,” she said. “When I heard it was coming to London, I said, ‘That’s it. I want to volunteer.’”

Mrs Isaac’s enthusiasm clearly paid off: she got one of the plum roles in the athletics stadium working in the ‘Olympic Family’ area, opening car doors for dignitaries and seating people in the box.

It meant Mrs Isaac, a senior account manager at a media firm, got to greet some of the world’s most famous faces as well as scream herself hoarse from a prime spot in the stadium, supporting Mo Farrah as he claimed his second gold of the Games. She added: “On the last night, I got to say goodbye to Prince Harry and Kate.”

Sophie Scott, 30, of Ribblesdale Road, Hornsey, was also swept up by Olympic fever. She said: “I’m actually not that interested in sport but I was really excited about the Olympics coming to London.”

The website editor was one of about 40 people working in the Olympic media hub looking after the London 2012 website, helping post news stories and photos and checking the results were correct.

It swiftly became the most popular website in the world which, Ms Scott admitted, was “a bit terrifying”.

And after being part of the greatest show on earth, both women are now back at their day jobs. Mrs Isaac said: “It was one of the most amazing things. I am so sad it is over.”