FREE YOUR MIND
“Free your mind and the rest will follow.” En Vogue are anything but these days. Nevertheless, as
I thought about this, it seemed as good as any a place to start.
This morning I flicked
through Facebook and saw a notification from 7 years ago today. At the 2010
FIFA World Cup, I was still less than two years into my new job in the press
office.
As the final
approached, one afternoon I got a call from a former FA colleague. She was
working with the 2018 England bid team, and was going to take a few hours off,
to explore Johannesburg. Lucas Radebe, who was working as a Bid Ambassador, was
also working for ITV, and had hired a minibus to show some of the crew and
commentary team, his ‘home.’ There was a spare seat. Would I like to go?
Holed up in Sandton for the best part of five weeks, I jumped at the chance to see a different side of Johannesburg. It turned out to be one of the best few hours of the whole tournament.
Holed up in Sandton for the best part of five weeks, I jumped at the chance to see a different side of Johannesburg. It turned out to be one of the best few hours of the whole tournament.
We travelled to where
Lucas grew up. He explained his upbringing, showed us where he grew up playing
football, and we toured around a broader area of the city, together with a
guide. At one stop, we entered a church. There, many years before, some young
black children ended up being chased by white police. We were shown strafe
marks on the walls and ceiling. And told what happened next. The story had most
of us in tears. Brutality. Violence. Death. The guide then went on to explain
about the Truth and Reconciliation Committees that were later formed, and the
next day, I bought a book, to learn more.
Why is this interesting or relevant? About 90 minutes earlier today, I had watched the final press conference of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Whilst VAR and doping were the main two topics on the agenda (as they were approximately a week before), three of the four speakers all declared the event a success.
Working at FIFA, the fact that operationally the event should have proven so, is no surprise. Colleagues and their Local Organising Committee counterparts plan at the most micro-level across many, many levels. The width of the organizational chart (which can be found pinned to the wall on one level of FIFA’s building) actually spans the width of two double offices.
Why is this interesting or relevant? About 90 minutes earlier today, I had watched the final press conference of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Whilst VAR and doping were the main two topics on the agenda (as they were approximately a week before), three of the four speakers all declared the event a success.
Working at FIFA, the fact that operationally the event should have proven so, is no surprise. Colleagues and their Local Organising Committee counterparts plan at the most micro-level across many, many levels. The width of the organizational chart (which can be found pinned to the wall on one level of FIFA’s building) actually spans the width of two double offices.
However, whilst the number of visiting fans may have been
much lower than for a World Cup, and the scale of everything is smaller, there
have been other encouraging signs these last couple of weeks.
Fans from Cameroon visited. They had a good time. Were safe. I read articles in Australian media that some of their fans were actually delayed getting to one match, as the locals kept wanting to stop and speak to them. Not quite the image sometimes portrayed. That travelling to Russia could be to take your life in your own hands. (I remember the Panorama documentary pre-Euro 2012 too). In addition, at every game (as there will be next summer too) there have been multilingual anti-discrimination observers.
British and German media have been on-site in healthy numbers. Many gave credit where it was due, praising operational areas, the cities, and the people. If there had been any trouble, they would have been duty bound to cover it. You would have read about it. Nick Ames, a journalist who I always enjoy reading - as he veers off most beaten paths - has been particularly interesting to follow on Twitter.
Next summer there will be more visitors. There will be more security. More entertainment for fans, e.g. the always-popular Fan Fests. Russia is a huge country. Certainly one of many extremes.A Mail on Sunday piece last weekend ventured towards one of the country’s borders, and found a rural backwater where World Cup investment will not make a difference to the lives of those living there.
Comparative studies detailing where urban infrastructure could have been improved (instead of shelling out on the frippery of a mega sporting event) are a common (and fair) analogy to draw every four years. Ironically, and tragically, had England won the vote to stage 2018, overseas media may have been writing this past fortnight about how our own money could have maybe helped prevent the Grenfell Tower disaster. Or asking, will Muslim visitors be safe in British cities, after the horrific (and seemingly under-reported) acid attack in East London. (You can always find something to attack, if you are so minded)
Ever since the announcement that Russia would host next year’s World Cup, the scare stories have had a demonstrable impact on many of the fans whose comments I see daily in my job, on FIFA Social Media accounts.
Fans from Cameroon visited. They had a good time. Were safe. I read articles in Australian media that some of their fans were actually delayed getting to one match, as the locals kept wanting to stop and speak to them. Not quite the image sometimes portrayed. That travelling to Russia could be to take your life in your own hands. (I remember the Panorama documentary pre-Euro 2012 too). In addition, at every game (as there will be next summer too) there have been multilingual anti-discrimination observers.
British and German media have been on-site in healthy numbers. Many gave credit where it was due, praising operational areas, the cities, and the people. If there had been any trouble, they would have been duty bound to cover it. You would have read about it. Nick Ames, a journalist who I always enjoy reading - as he veers off most beaten paths - has been particularly interesting to follow on Twitter.
Next summer there will be more visitors. There will be more security. More entertainment for fans, e.g. the always-popular Fan Fests. Russia is a huge country. Certainly one of many extremes.A Mail on Sunday piece last weekend ventured towards one of the country’s borders, and found a rural backwater where World Cup investment will not make a difference to the lives of those living there.
Comparative studies detailing where urban infrastructure could have been improved (instead of shelling out on the frippery of a mega sporting event) are a common (and fair) analogy to draw every four years. Ironically, and tragically, had England won the vote to stage 2018, overseas media may have been writing this past fortnight about how our own money could have maybe helped prevent the Grenfell Tower disaster. Or asking, will Muslim visitors be safe in British cities, after the horrific (and seemingly under-reported) acid attack in East London. (You can always find something to attack, if you are so minded)
Ever since the announcement that Russia would host next year’s World Cup, the scare stories have had a demonstrable impact on many of the fans whose comments I see daily in my job, on FIFA Social Media accounts.
I would never try to pretend that everything is perfect. That no-one visiting next summer will not encounter a single problem. However, the reality, versus the perception, told by those who have visited four of the cities this summer, suggests that perhaps people will be able to enjoy themselves after all.
Russian people are friendly. Helpful. Inquisitive. Volunteers, as at every major event will do their best to help you. As I know only too well from my own job, FIFA, the LOC and other stakeholders are ever more determined to try to provide better services and experiences for fans, to help make their experience as enjoyable as possible.
Russian people are friendly. Helpful. Inquisitive. Volunteers, as at every major event will do their best to help you. As I know only too well from my own job, FIFA, the LOC and other stakeholders are ever more determined to try to provide better services and experiences for fans, to help make their experience as enjoyable as possible.
“Why oh why must it be this way
Before you can read me you gotta learn how to
see me, I said
Free your mind and the rest will follow.”
En Vogue might have had a point. 7 years ago, I could easily have stayed in the office, or flopped on my Sandton Hotel bed for a power nap. Instead, I decided to take a trip on a minibus in Johannesburg, opened my own mind, and ended up having an unforgettable experience.
If you are going to Russia next summer, follow the usual rules and suggestions when you visit new places. But free your mind. It might just lead to moments you never expected. And also never forget.
Free your mind and the rest will follow.”
En Vogue might have had a point. 7 years ago, I could easily have stayed in the office, or flopped on my Sandton Hotel bed for a power nap. Instead, I decided to take a trip on a minibus in Johannesburg, opened my own mind, and ended up having an unforgettable experience.
If you are going to Russia next summer, follow the usual rules and suggestions when you visit new places. But free your mind. It might just lead to moments you never expected. And also never forget.
