Interviewing Olympic athletes, learning from peers, visitors and mentors
Journalism student Lexi Trent expands on her experience at the 2024 Paris Olympics
I am Lexi Trent, one of 15 students from the Reynolds School of Journalism covering the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and this is my second blog about this incredible experience!
This trip is not only giving us the opportunity to see the Olympic Games live, but also allowing us to see the business side and behind-the-scenes of the media coverage throughout different Olympic events.
While going to various Olympic games is surreal, being able to travel through the city and meet different people from all over the world who have also traveled here to cheer on their country is a journalist’s dream experience, in my eyes. Everywhere we go we can ask the person next to us about their experience here, who they know, why they are here and turn that into a story. It is really eye-opening.
My overall goal while being a part of this experience is to learn from my peers in our group. The other 14 people in this group have various talents that inspire me to do things differently, approach situations more creatively and talk to more people as the days go on. I also have a goal to look out for different articles about the games I attend to see how they are reported on, how fast they get published and what gets better reach to the community to inspire the way I write in the future.
I have a background that includes playing different sports at lower levels and volleyball at a higher level. Because of that, I feel that I can relate in the slightest way to how athletes feel when approaching possible nerve-racking situations. I surround my work around the player personally before their accomplishments to better understand what they are feeling about the situation they are in and what it took to get them to that position.
Going into the application process for this trip, I was not confident, but I knew I did not have anything to lose. After the application process was over, I was waitlisted, which turned into being asked to join the trip shortly after. I am glad I accepted this position, and I am grateful for the professors who helped me get to where I want to be today, especially here in Paris.
My faculty leader here is Dr. Mitchell. He has helped me grow ever since I transferred to the Reynolds School and he has pushed me to believe in my work. This helps me develop different story ideas and approach them in many ways, which is helpful when being a journalist in case we need an alternative approach.
Before traveling to Paris, I interviewed Stephanie Rovetti, Reno High School alum, on her journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics for Women’s Rugby Sevens. Interviewing local athletes is a great opportunity as the community reading the news will feel more knowledgeable about the history of the athlete being from their area.
During the Olympic Games I have had the opportunity to interview Stephanie’s mother, Diana Rovetti, who is also a senior project coordinator at the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno. Interviewing family members is important as it makes the content feel more personal to the athlete’s experience.
This program is all about what you make it for yourself, I have learned it is important to take every chance you get, work with what you have got and account for everything you have accomplished while moving forward.
