It can be so quiet in there. Especially when you arrive early at the venue. Like really early. A couple of hours before the competition starts or in those late hours when the dust has settled down after another day of rushing heartbeats and peaking emotions.

Towards the end of the competition day the Mixed Zone transforms into a hectic place where suddenly lights are turned on, cameras zoom in and photographers’ flashes are blitzing and blinking, blinding the interviewee. Because that’s what it’s all about. Reporters and camera crews want to crawl inside the athlete’s mind to steal his or her thoughts hardly few moments after he or she has won that medal … or lost it.

This is the place were first reactions are gathered, emotions are shown, tears are shed … of joy … or disappointment. It’s heaven for the victor, it’s hell for the defeated. It’s the place where every reporter must be!