We're going to the Olympics!

It's been four and a half years since I first started to "work" as a part of the newsteam of www.bokt.nl, a very large equestrian website which basically covers anything and everything about horses.
Back then it was already our goal to be present during the Olympic Games, but four years ago it was being held in Hong Kong and so it wasn't really an option.

Luckily, the Olympic Games of 2012 appeared to be a lot closer to home, in London! Our next goal was to try and get press accreditation for the equestrian parts. We knew right from the start that it would be much easier said than done. The IOC (International Olympic Comitee) press organisation does not give those out like candy and rather holds on to wellknown names among journalists. But you don't know for sure til you've tried and so we've been working on it since 2010 to get possible accreditation.

The waiting game took a lot of patience, especially for me since I'm not really a very patient person, but I learned a lot from it! We didn't have a lot of expectations, but as the days went by, our hope kinda deminished with them. Various equestrian websites told us that it was nearly impossible to get a "yes" from the official organizations, so we started to lose hope, but then again, you never know and it ain't over til it's really over!

and then... on july 13th 2011 the news came: "WE HAVE PRESS ACCREDIATION!"
That was surprise number 1 for me and I just couldn't believe it. Then, after reading that message about 10 times, I finally noticed that my name was in it. I can't express the way I reacted at that very moment. The song "Dancing on the Ceiling" comes very close to my initial response. After that I repeatedly harassed all my friends and family. I was going to go to the Olympic Games of 2012!

I'm still in shock and the feeling of disbelieve is still in the undercurrent.
Last week my accommodation where I will be staying got booked and I also know that I'll be in London from july 25th til august 10th. That makes it a little bit more real.

It will be quite hectic and the equestrian schedule is really tight. Some parts have a slight overlap so I'll probably be running and flying around like madness to try and cover everything, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity so you have to try and get out everything that's in it.

July 28th will be the first day of coverage with Eventing, and on august 9th it will end with Dressage Freestyle to Music. I'm really looking forward to it. July 2012 seems so far away, but it will be there before we know it, especially with all the preparations coming up.

The location of the accommodation where'll I'll be sleeping is GREAT! I was a little bit hesitant about the public transportation services in London during the Olympics. I'm sure they've done some great preparations with extra shuttle services and anything, but I still have the feeling it will be a little bit chaotic. However, I'll be staying at the University of Greenwhich, which is right across the street of the Equestrian venue! So I basically only have to cross the street and I'll be right on location! Can it get any better than that?

and now I'm waiting for the official papers which can come any day now. I'm almost literally camping underneath my mailbox and I'll be so happy when they finally arrive. That means there's no going back!
I can't wait til next year! Bart, I need an orange shirt already!