When Louise Martin - Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, invited me to join the 2014 Bid Team on a visit to the Caribbean, I was only too happy to accept. Who wouldn’t? The thought of a week sunning myself on 6 Caribbean islands certainly appealed. I was very excited about the trip, (probably because it didn’t involve any form of gymnastics competition), however the reality, while a great experience, was definitely not a holiday!!!
The Bid Team consisted of Louise Martin, Derek Casey (Glasgow 2014 Bid Director) Mike McNally (Glasgow 2014 Bid Project Manager) Narda Williams (International Advisor) and myself, Steve Frew.
L-R: Steve Frew, Commonwealth Games Gymnast, Mike McNally (Glasgow 2014 Bid Project Manager) Louise Martin, Narda Williams (International Advisor) and Derek Casey (Glasgow 2014 Bid Director).
The trip was our opportunity to promote the Glasgow 2014 message in the Caribbean and one of many trips in the Bid Team’s effort to visit every Commonwealth nation and territory.
Summary
Although I have travelled the world as a Gymnast, being part of a delegation was a completely new experience for me. To travel so intensely in such a short period of time; to meet so many new people and see the differences in their islands; to adjust to different time zones and changes in my body clock ……and still be alert to make a meaningful presentation promoting Scotland’s Bid was a great learning experience.
It was valuable to see some of the smaller nations within the Commonwealth and to bring back their points of view so that the Glasgow Bid and my colleagues in the G2014 Athletes’ Commission can be more informed.
We received very positive feedback to our presentations and all of the countries were especially impressed with the technical aspects of our Bid.
I am not the greatest flyer, which is probably strange being a gymnast flying through the air, but when I perform a somersault I am in control, whereas in an aeroplane I am not! But I can now safely say that after 6 countries and 12 flights in 8 days, I think I have combated my fears!
What a trip, a great experience and certainly one I’ll never forget. Roll on the next chance I get to help Glasgow win the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Enjoy my diary.
Day 1 – Glasgow - New York
Sunday – 29 October - 12.30
The Bid Team met at Glasgow bound for New York via London Heathrow. Fortunately I managed to get some sleep on the flight, a miracle as I am not a great flyer. We arrived safely in New York, unfortunately one of Derek Casey’s bags didn’t but we were assured it would catch up with us soon!
We had a stop over at an airport hotel in New York but an 05:30 alarm call had us back to the terminal for our next flight.
Day 2 – New York - Barbados - St Vincent
Monday - 30 October 05:30
This was my first visit to the Caribbean, and seeing the turquoise tropical waters was postcard perfect however there was work to be done.
By the time we arrived in St Vincent I was exhausted from the 4 flights to get there, and wasn’t sure which time zone my body clock was in ...and we only had an hour before our first presentation!
Derek Casey’s bag still had not arrived, so he had to nip to the nearest shop to get some essential supplies. This is when we discovered his liking for purple shirts.
Our Bid presentation was outdoors on the hotel veranda, not your typical presentation venue, but it had a certain Caribbean flavour! The presentation lasted about an hour, during this time we explained to the National Olympic Committee all about Glasgow’s Bid and why people should come to Glasgow in 2014 to celebrate the Games. I spoke for 5-10 minutes about our athlete commissions’ involvement in the G2014 Bid, and also a little bit about my own sporting experiences. After the presentation, we had an opportunity to talk more informally with the St Vincent delegates and answer any pressing questions. I collapsed into bed, shattered but ready for another early start.
Day 3 – St. Vincent - Grenada
Tuesday - 31 October 05:30
Another day, another short sleep and an early flight to Grenada.
We had a couple of hours to ourselves today so I decided to check out the gym, and have a work out with Mike. I managed to have a swim in tropical water, which I could have stayed in all day, but alas there was more work to be done for our next presentation. Derek's bag finally caught up with us.
The presentation in Grenada was more relaxed and I felt more confident about my part of the presentation this time. The round of applause from the Delegates gave me a great boost... though I think this was for showing off my Gold Medal rather than my presentation skills!
A team de-brief followed each presentation so that we could improve our delivery for the following day and provide delegates with answers to questions which were being raised.
After some good food, it was once again time to sleep and recuperate for Day 4.
Day 4 – Grenada - Trinidad and Tobago
Wednesday - 1 November 05:30
My mind was now getting used to the early starts, not sure my body was, but our schedule dictated what we did.
Trinidad, one of the largest islands in the Caribbean was just a 40 minute hop away and certainly much bigger than our previous two stops.
My Gold Medal was becoming quite famous by now, it managed to set off every metal detector at airport security and it even managed to get me a few autographs and a round of applause from the Trinidad airport security staff!
There was little time to relax on arriving at the hotels, we needed to prepare for the evening presentation and make sure all the arrangements were in place. Over the course of the week we became quite a slick operation.
The Bid Team with the Trinidad and Tobago delegates.
Around 25 delegates from the Trinidad and Tobago National Olympic Association attended this presentation and once again it was very well received. I got to chat to the President of the Gymnastic Association in Trinidad - an up and coming sport in Caribbean – with any luck I might get a chance to come back here in years to come and provide some coaching!
DAY 5 – Trinidad - Barbados
Thursday - 2 November 04:30
Did I say I was getting used to this – I lied! 04:30 came early this morning. No time for breakfast before we were off to the Airport. We were met at Barbados airport by a member of the Barbados Olympic Committee and ‘fast tracked’ through customs, I could get used to this VIP treatment!
Steve Stoute, President of the National Olympic Association in Barbados kindly took us to lunch; we also had time to visit their new offices and a quick tour of the island. We had all our preparations made for our evening presentation so I did manage another quick swim in the crystal clear ocean.
Around 30 delegates from a host of different sports attended, all interested in what we had to say about Glasgow and its plans for hosting the Games in 2014. Our reception afterwards gave us the opportunity to talk to all the delegates in-depth about our proposals and what the city of Glasgow and Scotland have to offer.
23:30 - getting used to the routine now - quick debrief and off to bed.
Day 6 – Barbados - Guyana
Friday - 3 November 05:00
This is my first visit to South America. Guyana is located on its North East coast and although it feels Caribbean in many respects, its terrain is significantly different, with lots of rivers and forests – and it’s very humid. This is where the world famous ‘Demerara’ sugar comes from and it is also home to the world’s longest floating bridge. The taxi driver also told us they have Piranha fish in the rivers here, so I decided not to go for a swim!
Again our presentation went very well. The feedback seemed very positive, and the delegation was very impressed. We had an enjoyable reception on the forecourt of the hotel and as I had packed my kilt and carried it half way around the world, I thought it was time to show the locals how we dress at home. They loved it!
Day 7 – Guyana - Barbados - St Lucia
Saturday - 4 November 07:00
Bit of a long lie this morning – bliss. Our final stop on the trip was the ‘honeymoon destination’ of St Lucia.
Although exhausted, our last presentation of the trip was given the same effort as the first and once again was well received and a good constructive discussion followed.
Can’t believe we have finally done it? Six presentations, six days... sleep for me!
Day 8 – St. Lucia – Antigua – London - Glasgow
Sunday - 5 November 09.00
A long lie – great.
Before we headed back home, we were invited by the Richard Peterkin, President of the National Olympic Association of St Lucia to attend an Inter-Island Swimming Meet and he introduced the entire Bid Team to the crowd – how flattering for the Glasgow 2014 Delegation. A great venue - an open air swimming pool, with a spectacular backdrop of lush green mountains and young aspiring athletes competing – I was once one of them!
Athletes competing at the Inter-Island Meet.
Time to head home via an over-night flight. Little sleep again but at least no early morning alarm call. Just some great memories of the kind welcome and great hospitality we received throughout our visits.
I only hope we can return the favour. See you in Glasgow in the summer of 2014!