A recent Sports Journalism alumnus scored his dream job of reporting at the Commonwealth Games which got underway just days after he graduated from BCU.
Jack Carson took on the role of a Flash Quote Reporter during Birmingham 2022 for the Games News Service.
The graduate tells us more about the incredible opportunity he had to shine a light on the city he chose to study in.
Tell us about your role as a Reporter?
As a Flash Quote Reporter, my job at the Commonwealth Games was to interview athletes after their events as part of the Games News Service. My quotes were used in articles on the Commonwealth Games website and were also added to the media portal that was set up. This portal was for journalists to find information and quotes from athletes if they couldn’t interview them themselves, or if they couldn’t be at the games in person. Some of my quotes even appeared on African and Australian news sites.
I was firstly based at the Marathon, and then at the Alexander Stadium for the rest of the Games. For each shift, the Games News Service team had a briefing to discuss the events of the day, which included which athletes to look out for and who would take responsibility for keeping an eye on which events. As track and field events run side-by-side, this was an important part of the shift.
Once events had got underway, it was showtime! Track events are always the quickest to finish, although there are a lot of them, so it was always a steady stream of people coming through the mixed zone, which is the media area in the stadium. The advantage was I had a choice of a great trackside view, which gave me the best chance to see what was happening.
When events finished it was action stations. As a team, we’d divide up which of us would interview which medallist and then it was all about waiting to grab the athlete for a quick interview. With the interview done, I either went back into the office in the stadium to write-up the quotes and send them off to my sub-editor, or if there was an event finishing quickly after, I’d write them up in the mixed zone or just send the audio file to the sub-editor who would transcribe them for me. This system worked great at times, it got very busy.
What was it like working at the Commonwealth Games?
The Commonwealth Games was honestly the craziest couple of weeks of my life! I’m so grateful my degree at BCU helped me get the role of a Flash Quote Reporter, because it meant I had the experience of a lifetime.
All the volunteers were some of the kindest people I’ve met and there wasn’t one person I didn’t get on with. My role could get quite stressful, especially when medallists from lots of different events, who all needed to be interviewed, came through the mixed zone at the same time. However, you knew as soon as the rush was over, there was always one of the volunteers working the mixed zone with you that you could have a laugh with. They all represented the best of Birmingham.
Interviewing the athletes was a privilege which still hasn’t quite sunk in. It’s only now it’s over, when I look back, that I realise I spoke to people who are some of the bests in their field; people who have won Olympic Golds and are huge role models to so many across the world. I can’t put into words how grateful I am for that opportunity.
As someone looking to become a sports journalist, the Commonwealth Games has taught me so many valuable lessons about the profession, but also about why I wanted to do the job in the first place. I’ve come away knowing even more strongly that I made the right choice of career.
What were your Commonwealth Games highlights?
Working with the most amazing volunteers, interviewing some of the best athletes in the world, and getting a finish line view of the races from the mixed zone. Also, getting to have a race on the track! I came a respectable 2nd place.
What legacy do you hope the Games with have on Birmingham?
I hope the Games have shown what an amazing and vibrant city Birmingham is. So many people I spoke to didn’t realise how beautiful the place is and I hope there are plans for more big events in the future so even more people can come and discover it.
I know Eurovision needs a host city, and for me there’s no other option than Birmingham!
I also hope the Games have inspired young people to get involved with sports they haven’t tried before because it’s great for both our physical and mental health, and I also hope they’ve seen volunteers like me and have been inspired to help in their local community.
Importantly, I hope the investment that was put into the city in the lead up to, and during, the games continue, because it’s brought the place to life and given local businesses the chance to grow coming out of the pandemic.
What are your future plans?
I’ve taken some time off since graduating to reset and enjoy some time with my little dog, but now I’m on the hunt for a job in journalism and have already had a few interviews which will hopefully have a very positive outcome!