After an incredible few weeks living and breathing the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, we asked Run's Account Director, Sophie Hayward, to reflect on a supremely busy and successful few weeks.

 

We’ve finally come up for air after the most amazing Olympic Games. It’s hard to convey through words alone the monumental effort and incredible results we achieved as a team.

For the entire Games, I couldn’t watch the action in Paris, scroll socials, listen to the radio or read the news without the seismic role of National Lottery players in supporting British athletes being highlighted in some way.

Across the 16 days of competition, we staged media events profiling the grassroots clubs who have nurtured champions, we delivered a hugely innovative new digital partnership with the MailOnline and one of our greatest Olympians, Sir Steve Redgrave, we created countless opportunities for the sports to tell their stories and we celebrated the medal moments… of which there were many!

1750+ miles travelled. Three Home Nations covered. Wall-to-wall coverage across all of the major news brands and platforms reminding audiences of the transformational role of The National Lottery and its players over the last thirty years.

Along the way we met so many incredible people. From inspirational first coaches, to the volunteers who make community sport happen, and everyone in between. It has been a true honour to show audiences where our sports stars have come from and the people quietly working behind the scenes to support them to get to the top.

 

We watched Josh Kerr take Olympic silver in the 1500m with the man who first took him under his wing aged 8.

We battled the wind and the rain in Carmarthen to celebrate one of Britain’s most exciting young talents, Emma Finucane, and saw how her achievements are inspiring the next generation of young riders in West Wales.

We got to be the first people to see the legend that is Max Whitlock upon his return to the UK having called time on his historic career.

We showed how rowing is opening up the sport to those from all backgrounds and we saw the inspirational impact of Worcester’s Matt Richards on those looking to follow in his footsteps in the pool.

And then, as the competition drew to a close, we spent the week celebrating our athletes as they returned to their communities to take part in social impact projects. It’s been incredible to see athletes using their platforms to shine a light on personal passions and it was an honour to be part of the ChangeMakers campaign with The National Lottery, UK Sport, Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

 

As those who have worked major events will know, it’s a very unique and lived experience. I couldn’t have achieved half of it without the drive, determination and generosity of my fabulous Run team. They continue to amaze me everyday with their phenomenal work ethic, want to deliver at 150% every day and ability to do so with a smile on their faces.

And today the Paralympic Games begins and brings us another chance to witness world-class sporting moments from incredible athletes, as well as showcasing the transformational effect of National Lottery funding for sport across the country.