Athlete of Economics
[ The University of Melbourne Voice Vol. 3, No. 5
14 July - 10 August 2008 ] By Fiona Willan
One of the largest Press Centres in Olympic history will cater 24 hours a day to the needs of the world’s media at the Beijing Games – but it’s on a budget.
University of Melbourne alumnus Yan Feng will be right where the action is during the Beijing Olympics, but he’s unlikely to see a single game.
As financial manager of one of the largest Press Centres in Olympic history, he will be too busy watching money to watch sport.
With 5600 journalists flooding into the Olympic’s Main Press Centre from 8 July, Mr Feng is working around the clock to make sure they have everything they need, without breaking his budget.
“Certain materials and equipment need to be purchased for use by the press,” Mr Feng said.
“But after two or three months, the equipment will no longer be used, as it’s a one-off event.
“I need to strike a balance between providing adequate service to the press and making sure there is no financial waste.”
The 35-year-old Economics and Commerce graduate – who is regularly involved in Melbourne alumni events in China – returned home to Beijing after completing his degree in 2004. Before he left Australia, he told his university friends that his sights were firmly set on working at the Olympics.
He reached his goal in March last year, when he was offered a job by the Beijing Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (BOCOG).
He is one of 1200 staff members working in the bustling Main Press Centre, which (in full swing) will operate for 24 hours a day from July 26 until the Paralympics draw to an end on September 17.
Mr Feng expects to be working more than 10 hours a day without a lunchbreak during the Press Centre’s peak period.
“It’s going to be very tiring and we’re going to have to take it in shifts,” he said.
“But as I said to my friends, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.”
Though Mr Feng won’t be able to leave the Press Centre to watch the games, he looks forward to having all the latest Olympic news right under his nose.
“I will be able to watch press conferences,” he said. “I’m excited because the Olympics is one of the largest gatherings of people in the world, and I will be meeting journalists from all over the world.”
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