Lindsey Mestdagh ‘13 | Staff Writer

While spending a full week in London at the 2012 Olympics, members of the Baker family said they had an experience of a lifetime.

“There were a ton of people there; it was crazy,” said Kelsey Baker ’15. “There were times when I was walking through the Olympic Park that were so surreal.”

They were given the opportunity to get the tickets in December by the company her father works for, Deloitte, which was a presenting sponsor of the Olympic Games, Baker said. The face value of the tickets were only around 150 pounds (close to $300), but to get them they spent about $500 a ticket.

“We thought this would be a good opportunity to spend some family time together before my son Alex (’12) went off to college,” said Kelsey’s mother Allison Baker.

At the Olympics, the family watched the quarterfinals for beach volleyball where they saw Misty May and Kerri Walsh, they had a night pass for the Olympic Stadium where they saw the men and women’s 400 meter dash, women’s steeplechase, shot put finals, pole-vaulting finals, both the 200 meter hurdles finals and the men’s triathlon, Allison Baker said.

“My mom and I also saw the finals for synchronized swimming while my brother and dad saw the semi-finals for men’s boxing,” said Kelsey Baker. “The best part was that we got to watch Usain Bolt’s medal ceremony from the 100 meter dash, which was a really fun experience.”

The medal ceremonies were all very exciting, including the synchronized swimming and Bolt’s ceremonies, Kelsey Baker said.
Although it’s hard to pinpoint a favorite event, the beach volleyball was a highlight of the Games because of the environment, Kelsey Baker said.

“The atmosphere was just incredible; it was right in the middle of London and the venue was small enough that it felt as if we were on the court,” said Kelsey.

Being at the Olympics was a great place to meet and interact with people of other countries and cultures, Allison Baker said she had a specific bonding moment with a Jamaican.

“At the track finals, I sat next to a woman from Jamaica and had a ball commenting on the hairdos of the women shot putters and learning what Jamaican runners were the ones to watch,” said Allison Baker.

While in London, the family also had their down days, Kelsey Baker said. Aside from the Olympics, they went out to get the “London feel” as they visited museums and rode the London Eye that overlooked the entire city.

“We heard that there might have been security concerns and I think that could have kept people away, but we never felt in danger,” said Allison Baker.

London did a wonderful job hosting, and the thousands of volunteers that gave up their vacations to make sure everyone felt welcome were amazing, Allison Baker said.

“Even though the cost of the trip was very expensive, tickets ranging from $250 to $700 each, it was one of the greatest things I have ever been a part of,” said Alex Baker.

Seeing all the different countries united and competing against each other was the best part of Alex’s trip, he said. There is no stage greater than the Olympics where athletes compete at such a high level to win not just for themselves, but for their country.

“Although it wasn’t a relaxing vacation, we met people from all around the world and it was a really fun and unforgettable time,” said Kelsey Baker. “I am already trying to talk my dad into letting us go to Rio in 2016 for the Olympics.”

Allison Baker said the chance to meet so many people from other countries, experience the infectious spirit of the games, cheer on the United States and spend time together is something we will never forget.