Students to work at Beijing International Triathlon
28 August 2012
Students to work at Beijing International Triathlon
Six Otago Polytechnic students are heading to China to work at the inaugural 2012 Beijing International Triathlon, which involves high profile competitors such as New Zealand’s Bevan Docherty and Nicky Samuels, and Spain’s Javier Gomez. With US$100,000 in prize money on offer, it is set to become one of the key events on the annual triathlon calendar.
Bachelor of Applied Science (Physical Activity, Health and Wellness) students, Hamish McDonnell, Freya Sorensen, Celia Bell, Gabrielle Clydesdale-Huch, Russell Anderson and Kurt Hammer, and Diploma in Applied Travel and Tourism (Level 5) student, Kirsty Sutherland, are embarking on this six-week cultural experience.
The students will undertake 40-hours of work experience per week with the official hotel of the triathlon, Nangong Spring Season Hotel, helping run the five-star resort’s fitness centre, liaising with the triathletes and assisting hotel staff with English. In return, they will stay and eat at the hotel for free and receive a small allowance.
One of the students taking part, Russell Anderson, says it’s going to be an incredible experience. “I can’t wait to meet all the athletes and work with them at the hotel. Staying at the same five-star resort as them isn’t too bad, either!” he laughs. “The 2012 Beijing International Triathlon is going to be such a massive event; it’s going to be amazing to see.”
Otago Polytechnic’s Megan Gibbons, Programme Manager of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Physical Activity, Health and Wellness), says all the students are very excited about the trip. “It gives them a chance to experience another culture and be a part of a huge international sporting event,” she says. “All the while, they will be building up credit towards the work-experience components of their programmes.”
The students have paid their own airfares to Beijing, at a cost of around $2500 each.
The inaugural 2012 Beijing International Triathlon takes place on Sunday 16 September. The students will be leaving Dunedin on Thursday 30 August.
www.beijinginternationaltriathlon.com
ENDS