Students from the University of Hull were given a volunteering opportunity like no other as they helped Team GB athletes in the run-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games next month.
Fifty students from the University volunteered throughout June at Team GB’s Tokyo 2020 Kitting Out at the NEC in Birmingham. The event saw athletes try and collect a range of kit, Opening and Closing Ceremony Wear and formal wear as an important step in their Olympic journey. Students described their “awe” and feelings of being “starstruck” whilst supporting Team GB athletes during the Kitting Out process.
Nicole Bateman, Project Manager for Team GB at the University of Hull, said: “We were so proud to be able to offer our students this unique opportunity to gain valuable experience and make memories of a lifetime, as a Team GB volunteer. They were helping some of our country’s greatest Olympians as they were preparing for competition on the world stage.
“The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are just around the corner and this year is sure to be one of the most memorable Games yet as for the very first time in history, they have been postponed a full year and Team GB are sending their biggest ever team to an away Games with 376 athletes surpassing the 371 that went to Barcelona ’92. In addition, further history was made as for the first time ever at a Summer Games there will be more women than men representing Team GB.”
This exclusive opportunity for University of Hull students came as a result of the University’s unique partnership with Team GB. The partnership, which is now in its second year, covers a six-year period and includes the Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
During June, more than 30 sports and 350 Team GB athletes selected their Team GB kit ahead of the Games which start on 23 July 2021.
Tim Ellerton, Commercial Director at Team GB, said: “Kitting Out is an important moment for the athletes as the kit symbolises a key moment of becoming a Team GB athlete. Since many of the athletes will be competing at their first Olympic Games, trying on the official kit for the first time is a special moment, giving them a sense of what it means to represent our nation and building excitement for competing at the world’s largest sporting event.
Michelle Brown, a final-year English student, said: “I felt extremely fortunate to have been able to work with Team GB for their Kitting Out event.
“Not only did I help so many amazing people, I was able to do a variety of roles including being a personal shopper for the athletes and delegates. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience and I loved every minute of it.”