Multilingual healthcare assistant turns translator at the Rio Olympics

A multilingual healthcare assistant put her language skills to the test while working as a translator at the Rio Olympics.

Eleanora Murphy has just returned home from 10 days volunteering in Brazil, where she worked as a translator of Spanish, French and German.

It was a far cry from her day job as a healthcare assistant in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory of Barts Hospital in London.

Inspired by London 2012

Ms Murphy applied to be a volunteer after working as a games maker at the London 2012 Olympics.

She told Nursing Standard: ‘My colleagues were all very supportive although they didn’t quite understand why I would wish to volunteer – especially when I was having to work so many extra hours to save up for my flight.’

Broadcast interview

She said one of her most memorable tasks at the Rio games was being asked to translate an interview from Spanish to English between the captain of the Ecuadorian women’s rugby sevens team and the official Olympic Broadcasting Services.

She said: ‘They had just been beaten 55-0 by the Australians, but she was very gracious in defeat.’

First aid

Despite not expecting to be called on for nursing assistance, Ms Murphy stepped in when she saw one of the performers in the opening ceremony faint during dress rehearsals.

She added: ‘I managed to get the medics to elevate her legs, and get rid of some of the crowds.

‘I fell victim to the tropical heat myself during one shift and was amazed it was actually winter there.

‘I have been told I am very brave for going on such an adventure by myself but I am very proud of myself, and I like to think my colleagues are also proud of me.’

Nurse volunteer at Olympics

Newcastle nurse in voluntary role at Rio Olympics