Tuesday September 2, 2008
Mesmerised by the big Beijing show
By LOONG MENG YEE
KUALA LUMPUR: Like many, Joyce Lee was mesmerised by China’s organisation of the Beijing Olympics.
But the event that brought lasting memories for her was the Badminton final between Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan at the Beijing Technology Gymnasium.
The 26-year-old Joyce, one of 10 Malaysian volunteers at the Games, watched the final after begging her manager for a pass.
“I can give up watching the Olympics opening and closing ceremonies but I was determined to watch the badminton game.
“It was my country’s only chance to win a gold medal,” said Joyce.
Chance of a lifetime: Joyce (second from right) travelled for an hour by train and bus to reach the Beijing Technology Gymnasium (background building) to watch Chong Wei battle it out with Lin Dan.
She brought along a Malaysian flag which she used to bring out the Malaysia Boleh! spirit in Chong Wei.
Joyce said the atmosphere at the gymnasium was overwhelming.
Every time she and the outnumbered Malaysian fans shouted Chong Wei’s name, it was drowned out by the thunderous roar of the Chinese fans backing Lin Dan, she said.
“I didn’t care. I kept shouting Chong Wei’s name. It was an intimidating experience to face an entire stadium of opposition.
“What more for Chong Wei. The emotional pressure was really tremendous. I do not envy him and his loss to Lin Dan was understandable,” said the Banting-born lass.
Joyce, who skipped her convocation ceremony at Universiti Malaya on Aug 5 and spent about RM6,000 of her savings to be a volunteer, said she would volunteer again for it was “the chance of a lifetime.”
“The price to pay was small, the experience I gained was magnificent,” she said.
Attached to the Water Cube Stadium where she assisted in distributing the results, Joyce watched American swimming sensation Michael Phelps at the centre of attention every time he competed.
“Every time Phelps competed, the stadium would be full. He was a nice person too, friendly and did not show off,” said Joyce.
Joyce did not try to get near Phelps even for a photo opportunity because Olympic rules disallowed contact with the athletes.
Another volunteer, Tang Kok Khau, 39, said he used his experience as a tour guide to help usher in spectators for the hockey tournaments.
“It was fun working with an international group of volunteers although we had to wake up at 4.30am every morning to report for duty at 5.30am,” he said.
Unable to get into the Bird's Nest stadium for the opening ceremony, Tang and volunteers from Hong Kong watched the event at a pub they had booked solely for the purpose.
“Everything about the Olympics was grand, efficient and breathtaking,” he said.
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Joyce looks like WMC