Paris 2024
One of the many amazing interviews I had the pleasure of doing during the Climbing Competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Alex Honnold.
Photo Credit: Jan Virat
“Would you like me to pass on your contact to work as a commentator for the climbing competitions at the summer Olympics?” My friend Monica asked?
Without too much reflection the words were already out of my mouth. “Sure, why not?”
I have spent a lot of time on stage, in the front, in the spotlight over the years. Whether it’s working as a Mountain Guide and in charge of all the decision making and risk taking, presenting to large corporations or crowds at film and ice festivals, or wrangling my kids and their friends. It’s a place I’m pretty comfortable with. And, realistically, my first thought was “How hard can this really be?” In most of my other work my decisions have very serious consequences, so just talking seemed to be way less stressful of an endeavor.
Late in June I traveled to Paris, Le Bourget, for a test event. It was a dry run of the event but without spectators, which ultimately I’m very grateful for. Because then, at least the logistics of the ‘real deal’ were much more straight forward.
I guess I under estimated the intensity of the pressure of 7000 spectators, being broadcast across the big screen and at times various television channels around the world, not messing up names, nationalities, or for that matter any other words during the medal ceremonies and much more.
My stomach was twisted with knots every morning before speaking my first words to the stadium, but quickly I found the groove. Between a rock star team of colleagues, an familiar community of climbers that I have spent the majority of my adult life encompassed by, support, encouragement, thanks, laughs, smiles and the most intense and beautiful human emotion, I quickly settled in.
While making it to the Olympics was never really on my bucket list. I do have to say that being immersed in the intensity of passion, commitment, and emotion, I had a small moment of regret at never having worked hard enough at any one sport to try to get there. And I left with an even grater appreciation of all the sacrifice and commitment that each athlete has invested in their journey.
As with many of of the other facets of my varied work and career I’m really excited about the step into this domain. The community, the stoke, the passion. Keep tuned for my next adventure in announcing Ultra Swim 33.3 in Montenegro in October.
