I believe all people have some dreams they would love to fulfill. And I believe that if you work hard you can make them happen. Of course, apart from your good will you need some luck, favourable circumstances and maybe some other additional energy from the universe helping you achieve what you really want. I know, maybe slightly philosophical, but this is my approach to life.
My road to Sochi is one of my dreams and it is the one, which fulfilment is happening at the moment. Everything started a couple of months ago. However, if you look closer at some of the things that happen in my life, they all brought me closer to achieving this goal. I still can’t believe it’s happening. So, let me introduce you to a new series of articles, which will focus on MY ROAD TO SOCHI.
My dreams…there are many of them and they of course change all the time. However, what doesn’t change is that I love sports, especially ski jumping. Everything started with Adam Malysz in 2000/2001 winter season, when his forms exploded and he won the prestigious Four Hills Tournament.
Since then my whole life has changed. Passion for ski jumping became also passion for sports like football, volleyball, swimming, athletics and many more. I started going to various competitions, travelling around Poland or Europe informing my mum only about getting a new ticket. She never interfered, which I‘m very thankful for. Winning prizes to travel to ski jumping competitions like World Cup final in Planica in 2008, World Championships in Liberec in 2009 or Zakopane World Cup in 2010 and meeting the best friends in the world because of that only confirmed me in me decision to become involved in sports for the rest of my life.
Our trip to Liberec in 2009
World Cup in Zakopane 2010 with my best friend won through Skijumping.pl and Allegro websites
Real decisions started with choosing on where and what to study. I knew that, putting it mildly, I wasn’t very good in sports. So the idea of studying journalism and specialising in sports seemed like a good one. Especially that I considered media to be a very broad and interesting area. During my studies I spoke to some interesting sporting personalities, got accreditations to various events and started broadening my horizons.
Read Donna Kellogg’s personal profile part 1 and part 2
Donna Kellogg – one of the most entitles badminton players in the UK
Polish women’s handball team after a game against England in Loughborough
Big day came with a decision of applying to be a volunteer during Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. Filling out the application form, a face-to-face interview in Warsaw and then waiting for the final answer, which came out positive was a long way to go. However, the whole month spent in the Polish capital was one of the most amazing things that happened in my life. Working in the International Broadcasting Centre as a Media Services volunteer answering all media questions, meeting loads of great people from all around the world, exploring the town and the National Stadium, attending some national trainings restricted only to volunteers or even carrying a massive Polish flag to the pitch after the final whistle of the last game in Poland – these moments can’t be forgotten.
With my best friend from Euro 2012 on the pitch of the National Stadium in Warsaw. Hi Swea!
Just before going to the pitch, carrying a Polish flag during Euro 2012
After that I got accepted to volunteer during London 2012 Olympics but due to working commitments I had to decline my position. However, I had a chance to work one shift during Olympic football match in Milton Keynes and visited London to see women’s 20 kilometres walk, so the Olympics spirit got very close to my heart anyway.
Take a look at my photostory from the women’s 20 km walk
After that a new possibility of becoming a Sochi 2014 volunteer has come. Being at the winter Olympics was always one of my biggest dreams. And it’s happening. Six weeks in Russia are ahead of me just 27 days away. It seems still very unreal, especially closer to the actual date. It was also a long way to go and it still is, but more about this experience it in the next part 🙂
Nice article and the sweeter the pictures (first one I believe is actually copyrighted, you’d better contact the respective authority:) ).
Wish you good luck, favorable circumstances and additional energy on your road to Sochi. Though additional energy really sounds slightly too philosophical.
P.S two advices in Russia
-)Don’t talk to strangers in Russia,
-)And don’t eat yellow snow.
And everything else should work out then:D
May the force be with you at Sochi.