London 2012 Olympics: Physiotherapist postponed honeymoon to volunteer at the Games

 
25 July 2012

A newly married physiotherapist has made a number of sacrifices to be part of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Sian Vaughan-Evans is one of three Cardiff and Vale University Health Board staff who have volunteered to play a role supporting the games.

Not only has the 31-year-old given up huge amounts of time over the past two years and spent more than a thousand pounds on travelling whilst preparing for the games - but she has also postponed her honeymoon after marrying husband Gavin.

She said: "We got married three months ago, but have put our honeymoon on hold as I have had to use all of my leave for this year to volunteer for the games.

"I won't be able to take a holiday until next April, but I'm a farmers daughter so I'm used to hard graft."

Mrs Vaughan-Evans, who began her first Olympic shift yesterday, will be working as a physiotherapist with football teams playing in Cardiff and providing pitchside support at matches at the Millennium Stadium.

The West Walian, who originally hails from Tenby but now lives in Penylan, said the games had been a long time coming.

Olympic organisers set the bar high for volunteers and Mrs Vaughan-Evans had to show she had worked with elite sports before and have separate qualifications in taping, massage and trauma management.

She said: "As soon as we won the Olympic bid my aim was to be part of the Games.

"There was an evening talk held in Cardiff for physiotherapists explaining how to get involved and what it would take to become a Gamesmaker.

"It was quite a long selection process and I had to undergo a number of interviews and application forms.

"I eventually found out I had been accepted last December.

"I was genuinely thrilled about it because the Olympic games being in Britain is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I've always had a keen interest in sport."

However, once she had got the gig the next hurdle she had to encounter was telling her husband and former professional rugby player Gavin, 33.

"I'm very lucky in that Gavin is very supportive," she added. "He loves sport as much as I do. He understands that this a big chance for me - in the same way that playing for rugby Swansea and Cardiff was for him."

However once the Olympics are over Mrs Vaughan-Evans, once a physio for the Wales' women's rugby team, will not be getting much chance to put her feet up - as she also signed up to volunteer at the Paralympic Games.

She said: "I'm especially looking forward to the Paralympic games as it is going to present me with a lot of challenges - because the athletes' disabilities will vary greatly.

"I am also looking forward to working alongside other medical practitioners in such an elite setting.

"Another plus point for me will be getting to meet athletes from around the world and sharing their Olympic experience, and doing what I can to aid recovery, prevent and treat injuries."

Completing the hat-trick of Cardiff and Vale health board workers is fellow physio Chris Lambert, 31, and healthcare manager Roy Guttridge, Healthcare, who will be acting as a motorcycle escort keeping the route safe for athletes.

Mr Guttridge, 62, said: "I have worked as a motorcycle marshal on the Tour de France and the Tour of Britain for seven years and have been selected to work on the Olympics in a similar role.

"I think my family are quietly proud about the fact I'm playing a part in the games and some of my friends in work are quite impressed."

Health board chairwoman Maria Battle said she was thrilled Cardiff was playing such an important role in the 2012 games.

She said: "We are incredibly proud of the efforts of our staff who have volunteered to give up their own time and offer their own excellent skills and expertise to make sure the Games run smoothly and play their part in Olympic history."

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