The Team Inside
23 July 2008
No medals are awarded for Olympic team logistics – but maybe they should be.
Tony Popplewell and Dave Currie.
What does it take for an athlete to achieve excellence at the Games? Probably the first thing that springs to mind is the right training, the best equipment, precise peaking, good nutrition.
That's all totally correct, of course. But what about the raft of hidden essentials that support the performance: the travel to and from China, the medical supplies, acclimatisation gear, the plethora of team kit?
That's just the start. What about the mobile phones which help to keep the team functioning as a unit; the computers, printers and paper that enable updates and results to be shared? What about managing the fleet of seven allocated vehicles in Beijing, each with two Chinese drivers; and coordinating the best use of eight allocated Chinese assistants/interpreters?
What about sorting out accreditation and security passes for every single member of the New Zealand contingent, be they athlete, official or dignitary? And making sure equipment actually gets to Beijing, including the 12-metre shipping container and several airline containers, packed full - and not forgetting Hong Kong, Qingdao and the two football teams in outlying venues? What about setting up the New Zealand camp? Handling everything from coordinating the greeting of athletes at the airport to handing out their room keys?
The logistics of managing the Games team are more than complex: they're mind-boggling.
"We've been working on Beijing for over two years. As it gets closer, it just builds and builds and builds," reckons Tony Popplewell, who's now into his fifth Olympics as Logistics Manager. "The effectiveness of what happens on the outside of the team depends on what happens on the inside. If the inside is not performing - the results on the outside could be affected," he states.
Popplewell is engaged by the New Zealand Olympic Committee – until a couple of Games ago it was a voluntary role and when he started in 1992 much of the pre-Games preparation was done from the basement of his house. He's supported now by Athens' mountain biker Robyn Wong and Jake Wilkins. They're learning every detail, because Popplewell's making this his last in the role.
In line with world sport, over a number of Games there has been a significant shift in the philosophy of the team, and that's made a huge impact on logistical demands, Popplewell explains. While the competition itself was certainly serious, the team atmosphere at Games of the early- to mid-1990s was more relaxed.
"Now it's more driven to be a high performance environment. Many athletes now are professional - their livelihood depends on their performance," he observes. "You have more professional athletes and they demand the same sort of outlook from the officials and their backup".
"As a team, we're a lot more athlete-focused. Back in '92 we tried to create a bit of an athletes' lounge with a few posters, but that was about it. We really try now to make the New Zealand village like a home environment".
Over the same period, modern communications have of course transformed – and that's transformed expectations. In 1992, the team had faxes not email, landlines not mobiles. The new equipment and technology all needs organising. Straight after the interview for this article, Popplewell headed out to pick up 90 mobile phones for use at the Games.
The logistics team will set up an office at the village – operational HQ. "We have a front desk like a hotel. Behind that there's the operational area, with all the systems and processes to keep the team going," he says. "We'll have about 24 hours to set it up and start operating."
Once the Games begins, there will be a couple of weeks of 15-18 hour days to look forward to, with issues to manage along the way. Plenty of athletes, including the track and field team, will arrive after the opening ceremony. "Before the last person arrives, others will start to leave. Some athletes are committed to professional teams, and some coaches have to go also," he says.
"Then we start planning for everyone to leave. Two days after the closing ceremony, there's a direct flight to Auckland, arriving 27 August. There will be about 200 team members on the plane – and there's a mountain of luggage to move."
Popplewell has heard through the Beijing Olympic Games Organising Committee that the New Zealand team may in fact have the most significant logistical presence - of all countries - across the different Games venues. That's because New Zealand has two football teams, and significant teams of sailors and equestrians all competing out of Beijing, as well as a strong contingent across a diverse range of sports in Beijing itself.
"Logistically, we have quite a significant challenge to incorporate all these team members into a one team approach and keep in touch with them all," Popplewell concludes. To which one could fairly reply: that man deserves a gold.
Tony Popplewell went to the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan as part of the New Zealand rowing eight. He managed the New Zealand team to the Rowing World Championships in 1981. Prior to Beijing, he's handled logistics at four Olympic and five Commonwealth Games. This was his last: "I'll be playing more golf," he says.
Updated | 31 Oct 2008.
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