31 For many, attending the Olympic Games may be a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity. For two OSU College of Arts and Sciences alumni, it is all in a day’s work. This summer in London, Lynn Garrison (’84 history) and Timothy Ryan (’84 journalism/ public relations) worked with Rio Tinto PLC, official provider of Olympic medals. The childhood buddies first met in junior high in Oklahoma City. The Olympic Games reunited them 22 years later. “We didn’t know that each of us had pursued a travel career until we ran into each other at the Athens Olympics in 2004,” Ryan says. Both had been hired by the same sports marketing agency. Since then, that agency has hired them for every Olympics to manage on-site logistics for sponsors such as Rio Tinto. “Our job is to help companies leverage sponsorship assets,” Ryan says. Garrison is a transportation expert; Ryan, a ticketing expert. Other workers for the Londonbased mining company hailed from New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. “One of the best parts of working the Olympics is the teamwork required,” Ryan says. “There is an amazing international flavor. It’s more than just athletes coming together.” As for Ryan — who has been part of the Olympic world since the Sydney Games in 2000 — what was the best thing about the London games? “Whenever you are on-site, you learn quickly who the promising local athletes are. It was great to see the British excel at their own games. “And I always enjoy media coverage from the BBC. It provides a global view.” Cel lphone shooters were everywhere at the London Olympics, including on the teams of athletes. Sanya Richards-Ross celebrates her gold medal in the women’s 400-meter race.
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