The best is yet to come: directing strategic programmes for 2012

Sue Hunt (Girton 1977)

“As soon as the UK won the bid for the 2012 Games, I decided there and then that I wanted to be involved,” says Sue Hunt, Director of Strategic Programmes for the London 2012 Olympics. Sue was a managing director at Goldman Sachs at the time, so the question was “in what capacity, how and when.”

“I started off thinking I would be a volunteer, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to make it a bigger full-time commitment,” she says. “Fundamentally, I would have taken any role with the team just to be involved. But as luck would have it, my perfect job came along.”

“My sporting hero is Sir Bobby Charlton. He came from humble roots, played at the top of his sport, dealt with tragedy, has inspired young people to take up sport and has remained a total gentleman. A great man who deserves huge respect.”

While at Cambridge reading Geography, Sue played hockey, rugby and cricket, and also rowed for Girton. “One of my strongest memories is getting up at 6am and having to crack the ice to put the boat in the water!” she says. Sue still enjoys outdoor pursuits, but has moved onto dry land and is now a keen cyclist. “One of my favourite sports teams is the Great Britain cycling team,” she says. “Listening to someone like Dave Brailsford describe the skill, endurance, precision, science and psychology behind the success of the GB team is both amazing and inspiring.”

She describes being part of the Olympic and Paralympic family as “an incredible experience”. “I have done things and met people that I would never have imagined, and I have had to turn my hand to many different roles and disciplines,” she says. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to do something that is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience: the Games in my home country and city. I have enjoyed every moment of the challenge and know the best is yet to come!”

Image credit: LOCOG