When I found out I was heading to Beijing as a VR camera operator for Olympic Broadcasting Services, I had no idea how incredible the adventure would be!
Arrival in Beijing
The moment I landed, the Olympic machine was in full swing. A COVID-19 test at the airport, followed by a fast-tracked transfer to the hotel—where parts of the highway were even closed to speed up our arrival. The first days were all about meeting the team, getting familiar with the setup, and collecting my equipment. The official OBS winter jacket was an absolute must, with temperatures dropping as low as -25°C.
Strict health protocols shaped our daily routine. We had to take COVID tests every day, wear masks at all times, and only local spectators were allowed at events.
Off to Zhangjiakou
A few days later, we moved to Zhangjiakou, a breathtaking mountain region packed with Olympic venues. Here, world-class athletes competed in bobsleigh, ski jumping, biathlon, and halfpipe events. The scenery was just as spectacular as the competition.
Then, the real work began. Every day, we were on the move—scouting locations, setting up gear, and capturing the action. My cameras went everywhere—on helmets, skis, dollies, snowmobiles, and even the athletes themselves. We covered everything from aerials and moguls to biathlon, ski jumping, bobsleigh, and halfpipe. With OBS credentials, we had unmatched access, bringing us closer to the action than I ever imagined.
A Moment to Remember
On one of my rare days off, I took the high-speed train back to Beijing. There, I witnessed speed skater Sven Kramer’s final Olympic race and watched Irene Schouten win gold for the Netherlands!
Looking back, the Beijing Winter Olympics was an experience of a lifetime. It was challenging, intense, and incredibly rewarding. I gained valuable insights into live sports production, learned how to work under extreme conditions, and saw firsthand the teamwork needed to pull off an event of this scale.
