Albert Sim thinks photographers should get medals too.

In Beijing

THEY call it the greatest sporting occasion on the planet.

But it isn't just the athletes who are the ones aiming to go faster, stronger, or higher.

As journalists, we too are subjected to the rigours of this thing they call the Olympic Games.

At the Opening Ceremony for example, photographers had to be in position at 3pm, five hours ahead of the 8pm ceremony. We stayed at the Bird's Nest Stadium shooting photos until midnight, then stayed up another hour or so to edit and send back our pictures.

Wait, shoot, edit. Talk about a triathlon.

Where's Albert?
Source: AP

Every day, just getting to cover the events is a challenge. Want to shoot Michael Phelps, the most sought-after athlete in Beijing? You have to line-up at 6am for a marathon wait to get a ticket to enter the Water Cube Aquatics arena. Due to the sheer demand of journalists, not everyone can be allowed to cover these "high-demand" events.

Once you're in, the competition has only just begun. You have to judo your way against hundreds of other photographers, each boasting a telephoto lens bigger than yours. Size does matter because there is no separate category if you're a lightweight.

Once over, the gymnastic routine begins again the next day. The athletes might get to rest in between their events, but photographers have no such luxury.

Welcome to the Olympic Games - from the other side of the camera lens.

There's Albert!
ST Photo: Albert Sim