A group of UQ journalism students will live and breathe sporting glory as they report the news at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Twenty-one students have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to participate as volunteer cadets, working for the Official News Service (ONS), after a rigorous interviewing process.
The students’ main role will be to gather responses from athletes directly after their competitions and rush them to foreign journalists.
The ONS delegation, who were recently in Brisbane, were impressed with the group and delighted by their interest in being a part of the Games.
The cohort is currently undergoing training in Beijing in preparation for the opening ceremony on August 8.
The students will stay at Beijing International Studies University (BISU) during the Games and have the option of continuing on for the Paralympics in September.
Head of the School of Journalism and Communication Professor Michael Bromley said the cadetship was a great opportunity for students to experience first-hand how the world’s biggest sporting event was organised and covered by the world’s media.
Professor Bromley said it was an opportunity that came rarely to working journalists, let alone students.
“This wonderful experience grants students the opportunity to apply their studies and reporting abilities to not only a real world news event but one of the great events of all time,” he said.
“They will still be working as journalism interns but under the supervision of leading international journalists and producers and under the gaze of the sports loving world.”
Professor Bromley said the students were extremely excited and looking forward to this wonderful opportunity.
The group will perform as Flash Quote Reporters, with two students appointed volunteer photo-room assistants.
The students will cover badminton, rhythmic gymnastics, volleyball, boxing, and beach volleyball, spanning several locations including Capital Indoor Stadium, Chaoyong Park, Worker’s Indoor Arena, Beijing Uni of Technology and the Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium.
Media: Rachel Smith on (07 3365 6503, Rachel.smith@uq.edu.au) or Eliza Plant at UQ Communications on (07 3365 2619, e.plant@uq.edu.au)
