Getting to the Venue
Harry How/Getty Images
Here I am setting up one of the remote cameras.
I was greeted by no other person than the “20 minute lady” at the media bus stop, as I rolled my 60lb case full of remote camera gear through the dark streets of Rio to catch a 5:30 AM bus to the BMX competition.
For those who recall, this was the same transportation lady who attempted to predict the arrival of the media bus shuttling us to the opening ceremony. For the record, we stopped counting after the bus was 2 hours late and took a cab instead.
This morning however, she said to me without sarcasm or vindication that I was late by 4 minutes, but since no one else was around and the 5:30 AM bus never left, she would send it just for me. A few thousand media around and I get bus just to myself? I forgot the other day and I felt special.
My ego took a hit when I got to the main press center and my connectinig bus didn’t run for 50 minutes which would get me there on time for the competition but without time to set up the remote cameras. With the help of two soldiers on the side of the road and a phone call to the press officer of the venue, my confused cabbie got me out to Outeiro Hill with enough time. Once at the venue, I put one camera at the start and a second a the biggest jump the riders would go over.
Harry How/Getty Images
Mauro Aquino of Brazil and Caicedo A. Jimenez of Colombia clear a jump during the cycling BMX men’s final at Outeiro on July 15, 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
I must give a lot of credit to Streeter, who saw the venue the day before and gave me a heads up on the potential of the event.
He was like the “20 minute lady,” helping out whenever you can. Like photography and life, a bit of luck and some help can make all the difference.
Tags: photos, XV Pan American Games
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July 19th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
This is one of the best sports photos I’ve seen in a long time. I love the simplicity, color, repetition, and above all humor.