I travelled 24 hours to cover a soccer game! And the unveiling of the Russell Clicker Ticker!

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

Well,..., I travelled a lot more than to cover a soccer game. 

After I got word that a game was scheduled in Coventry at 3pm the day I was to arrive in London, I wanted to cover it.

It was a challenge, I made my way from Downtown Toronto at 2:30 p.m. to the airport to catch a flight was to arrive at 7 a.m. London Time. After landing I had to make my way to Paddington Station, to my hotel and then to the Olympic Park.

At the Olympic park I had to finish my accreditation process getting the required photo vest, getting a locker and certifying my radio remotes.

Thankfully the time of the match was 5 pm, I needed those two hours.

I had to get to Coventry, a process that took me two rapid transit trips with a 15 minute walk and a train trip that was lengthened and required a transfer after a fatality occurred on the route. 

Arrival in Coventry meant another 25 minutes in a bus and a 20 minute walk to the media entrance at the pitch.

I made it, just after the original game time, sweaty, tired and with just one hour of sleep in the prior 36 hours.

Here are some pictures from my journey and pictures from the game I travelled 25 hours to cover!

And as a bonus, the unvwiling of my Olympic feature, the Steve Russell Clicker Ticker!

The trip got off to a great start, a double truck picture of Jennifer Abel in the Olympic peview issue of Maclean's Magazine.

My accreditation rolls off the laminator at Heathrow Airport!

Sports reporter Doug Smith who appears to have unusually long fingers points me in the direction of the train to Coventry.

My fourth train of the day, there would be three more that day, arrives on the platform at the Olympic Park.

After 25 hours that comprised of taxi, airplane, train, taxi, subway, LRT, long walk, LRT, train and a different train I wait for the bus to take me to Coventry Stadium.

Canada's Christine Sinclair has a laugh before Canada's opening tournament game versus Japan in the Olympic Soccer tournament in Coventry.

A Canadian fans bakes in the sun before the game.

The Canadian team listens to the anthem before the game.

Canada's Kaylyn Kyle and Japan's Yuki Ogimi battle for the ball.

Canada's Christine Sinclair strips the ball from Japan's Mizuho Sakaguchi.

A Japanese fan checks out a replay.

With Canada's Erin Mcleod and Canada's Carmelina Moscato defending Japan's Aya Miyama scores in the first half.

Canada's Lauren Sesselmann reacts as Japan's Aya Miyama celebrates the second goal with Yuki Ogimi.

A Japanese fan is pleased with the result as Canada loses 2-1 to Japan in the Olympic Soccer tournament.

Canada's Lauren Sesselmann ties up Japan's Yukari Kinga.

Canada's Melissa Tancredi heads the ball past Japan's Azusa Iwashimizu.

Canada's Sophie Schmidt battles for position.

Canada's Christine Sinclair yells for a call as Canada loses 2-1 to Japan.

Goalkeeper Canada's Erin Mcleod is consoled by friends and family after the game.

And the Clicker Ticker!

Enjoy!