When the weather changes and a meeting with BOB

The athletes were told to get off the water but some still wanted to continue their training. As rumours circulated as to whether racing would be delayed until later or postponed until the next day, all eyes were on the sky, searching for the answers.

Coming in from her training row, top single sculler Ekaterina Karsten of Belarus is asked by her husband whether she wants to train later. The answer is a very clear, “no!”

But the rowers, on the whole, are used to expecting the unpredictability of the weather and they seem unperturbed by the rain no matter how wet they are.

Watching the rowing – that did not start

Keen Olympic watcher, Princess Ann and her husband, Commander Timothy Laurence will have to come back another day.

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark was also waiting for the rowing. He has a special interest in rowing as his grandfather, King Frederik was a rower. Prince Frederik went out in the lightweight men’s four a few months ago to see how it felt.

A meeting with BOB

Broadcasting the Olympic Games is BOB’s job, Beijing Olympic Broadcast. Peter Williams, production manager for the Shunyi Olympic rowing venue, explains to World Rowing how images are shot and broadcasted.
There are 27 high definition cameras situated around the course. Williams describes some of the placings. “Three are at the start line for the crew introduction, one in the start tower and one in the aligners hut. Every 500m (along the rowing course) a camera is used for the virtual line you see on the screen. Two more are on a car following the races and have giant lenses which take both wide and tight shots. Three are on catamarans of which one has a high speed recording system to produce slow motion shots.

“A camera on a crane takes shots of the rowers after the finish line and going into the mixed zone (interview zone). These are used while awaiting the official results. We shouldn’t forget the FlyCam which comes in between the 1000m and the 1500m mark. There is also a buoy camera between lanes three and four at the start.
“We try to enhance the broadcasting at each Olympic Games and are therefore using new technologies such as those just mentioned. The flag impression produced by our graphic department is also a new feature.”

World Rowing: How is all this used?
Peter Williams: Actually, there is a standard Olympic protocol for all venues about the beginning and the end of the racing day as well as a formula of coverage. The director has to follow these scripts, but they always plan to give fair coverage to all athletes and countries during the races. A crew from BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is in the truck at the venue for the broadcasting.

WR: How many people are working for BOB at the Shunyi venue?
PW: We are about 120 people in total under the supervision of the broadcast venue manager. This includes about 60 people from the BBC, 30 Chinese people, camaramen, commentary team, someone in charge of logistics, some for the set up and broadcast which ensure technical efficiency, a graphic team and more.

There are also two people in charge of the mixed zone to control the interviews but who also care for the athletes providing them with water and ice jackets. There are also spotters with FISA and at the start and finish. I’m in constant contact and if anything happens I immediately contact all broadcasters.

WR: What’s your experience with rowing?
PW: I have been involved in the Olympic Games in Sydney, Athens and now Beijing. I rely on two directors who have a fairly sound knowledge of rowing and the design of the script has been done by knowledgeable people. We use top of the field people in all the jobs to ensure the best possible coverage.