Racer Ready caught up with Ireland’s Florence Bell after the Giant
Slalom …
1. How are you enjoying the
Games so far?
Very much, thanks.
2. What has been the best thing
about the Games in terms of sporting excitement and then in terms of
cultural and educational aspects?
So far, apart from competing, the most exciting thing has been the
Opening Ceremony where I carried the flag for Ireland.
3. What did you do in terms of
preparation for the Games?
I kept on top of my general
fitness. In addition, I have been training on snow.
4. How much interest has there
been in you at home in terms of competing here?
There has been a lot of
interest! As well as coverage in local newspapers in Ireland
and England (where I live), I was also on Central ITV News. My
school friends were very excited about the TV coverage and I was
busy on Facebook!
5. What other sports have you
been able to watch?
To be honest, I haven't been
able to watch any other sports because, since my coach, Lynn Sharp,
arrived in Innsbruck, we have been busy training and preparing for
the races. After my slalom race on Friday, I hope to have a
chance to watch some other sports.
6. What is life like in the
Olympic Village?
It's good. We have 3
people on our apartment and I know that some other teams have 6 in
an apartment. When you have just 1 bathroom between all in the
flat, this must cause a few problems I would think! We share our
building with the Austrian team. Normally, it's quite quiet
but I expect that will change at the weekend when the competitions
come to an end and people start to party! We have breakfast at
the Olympic Village in a heated marquee but for other food we have
to go to the Congress in Innsbruck. I like that arrangement,
though, because it forces you to leave the Village and to look at
other things like the Cultural stands in the Congress and the
ceremonies and concerts in the Medals Plaza.
7. Does this inspire you to go
for the main Games in the future?
Yes. I would love to
be selected for Sochi in 2014 or for Pyeongchang in 2018.
8. What educational / cultural
programmes have you taken part in?
I have enjoyed exchanging Pins with other athletes and at the
Congress - I managed to swap one of my pins for an 1964 Innsbruck
pin, it is my best one. I also enjoyed looking at the stands
for the different Nations. Local children have been given a
project to research the Country that they have been assigned.
The children looking after the stand for Ireland were really excited
to see representatives from the Country they had studied and they
had done a lot of work on their stand. Some of their research
was a bit odd, though - they believe that the Irish countryside is
glowing in the dark as a result of phosphorescence from the peat
bogs!! I may get a chance to look at other things when my
races have ended.
