Working at the Olympics

[White Delight is awesome!]

This has been a long time goal of mine. I'm aiming for Vancuvor(sp) in Feb. 2010. Have checked the website and they are not taking applications until '08. Is there anyone here who has worked at the Olympics ? Would appriciate any and all info.
That being said, being part of the U.S. Massage Team would be kick. Contact info here would be great. Thanks.

 

[Stephanie V]

I personally have never worked at the Olympics, but I had an instructor who has gone to the camps and went to the latest Olymics a year or two ago. The screening process is quite stringent, but he said it was an awesome experience. Good luck!

 

[banned_glory]

as a massage student, i had the opportunity to volunteer at the olympic training center here in colorado springs. VERY COOL. the recovery center is where the athletes go for steam room, sauna, hot & cold plunge, and of course massage therapy. the athletes get 1.5 hours per week they can schedule any way they want. the massage is actually part of an on-going study being conducted on the efficacy of massage on training athletes. now, i never get hands-on time with the athletes, for me this volunteer position is basically clerical. (although i'm hoping it will lead to future job opportunities.) there are several MTs who are there working with the athletes. it's my understanding that the director of the facility wants the therapists to have 5 years experience in the field, although some of the therapists had more sports training experience and less years as a MT. one of the therapists actually travels with the cycling team when they go to european competition. i don't know if these MTs have been to the olympics, or are planning to go. i am going to volunteer again in november and while i'm there will try to find some more information and post it back here to you.

*forum will not let me post website link to usoc*dot org

 

[Kerri L]

well, as i am just wrapping up another volunteer shift here at the u.s. olympic recovery center.
i guess this is not official information as i was just talking with the therapists who work here. i asked them about going to the olympics as a massage therapist, the concensus seems to be that the MTs are invited by the team. also, the teams vote on which MT they take. seems likes it is up to the athletes, and the majority of the team has to agree.
so as far as getting your hands on some olympic athletes, your best bet seems to be to get on as a MT at an olympic training center. i live in colorado springs,CO, but it seems to me that there are OTCs in Lake Placid, NY, and Chula Vista, CA. one of the MTs here said he was offered a job at the OTC in Salt Lake City, UT, so there must be one there too, and maybe some other cities. this link is to the USOC employment info:
http://www.usoc.org/12211.htm
i'm not sure that this is really helpful in answering your question. this is the main page for USOC:
http://www.usoc.org/