Zareena Gaibee joins the Good Things Guy team to share all the happenings at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics – This is her take on the opportunity:
South Africa (12 July 2024) – I don’t fully understand how it happened, but I’m going to the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris. I have always loved sports. There were the mornings I would watch Team SA play bowls at the Commonwealth Games because that was all SABC was showing. Times I was late meeting friends because a South African racewalker was in the silver medal position. So many days watching the 7s and afternoons lost learning about the Tour de France.
Then there are the big moments, like the way the city and country as a whole change when the Springboks are doing their thing, and the joy most of us experienced during the 2010 Football World Cup. But it’s not just that. It’s the moments that remind us that at our best, we are world-class, and at our worst, we are still good enough and worthy. We try, we fight, we do what we can, and every now and then we get to be a part of something great.
So when SASCOC had a call for media to cover the Paris 2024 games, I thought about it for months. I was writing on the side, and with no formal training or qualifications in the field, I applied just under the buzzer. When asked if I would be willing to cover the Olympics AND Paralympics, I said, “Yes,” because honestly, I was unlikely to get either, let alone both. Three emails:
- I am interested.
- Here are my details.
- Yes, I would absolutely be willing (read: overjoyed) to do the Paralympics too.
That’s all it took. Somehow, from all the people who applied, they decided I was good enough to be around the greats. I said, “Yes, please,” and haven’t looked back. Then I did what so many of us have to do: hustle and reach out to Brent. We have similar philosophies, and if I am doing something crazy and new, I figured this is the place to do it.
Just how much crazy new stuff is thrilling and terrifying. I get invited to SASCOC Olympic and Paralympic events and I am in awe. My Olympic Accreditation calls me a journalist, but that feels like a strong word. The closest I can bring myself to call myself so far is a “journal-ist.” I am writing down what I experience and learn along the way.
Just yesterday, someone asked me, “How come you like sport?” I queried, “What do you mean?” They chuckled and said, “Well, I don’t want to be sexist, but…” That is not great, but more often than not people are just happy to chat and help. So, I’ll take it. A lifetime of curiosity and love for all things sports has prepared me for this.
I may never know why me, but I am South African, so I know the best is yet to come. I’m living my own good news story! In doing so will be bringing you all things good from the Games in Paris.
Zareena Gaibee will be on the ground in Paris for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics events, sharing her take on the prestigious sporting event, giving exclusive insights into life at the games, and hopefully meeting many of the South Africans in Paris who are competing and supporting. She will be reporting her findings for Good Things Guy, giving readers a glimpse of what flying the flag in Paris is all about.
You can follow her series via Good Things Guy here.
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