From hospital porter to photographing the Olympics

A hospital porter has returned home after spending 10 days away from his NHS job - to photograph the Olympics in Paris.

Graham Beardsley, a service assistant at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, was one of the official photographers who was given accreditation to cover the Games.

He took the defining image of Team GB triathlete Alex Yee on the podium after he claimed gold in a dramatic finale to the men's race.

Mr Beardsley said it was "amazing" to be part of the prestigious event.

He was commissioned by both Team GB and British Triathlon to capture the men's and women's triathlon squads in action.

Mr Beardsley began working evening shifts at the hospital to supplement his income during the pandemic, but remained in his post and said he enjoyed the role.

"It was only supposed to tide me over, but I just enjoy working there and it helps with bills," he added.

He said he was passionate about triathlon and already had contacts with the sport's national governing body, but was still surprised by the "out of the blue" invitation to go to Paris.

"I was absolutely over the moon. It was frenetic, with daily 4am starts."

Mr Beardsley, from Balby in Doncaster, said the stand-out moment of the Games for him was photographing the close finish to the mixed relay, which initially appeared to have resulted in a silver medal for Team GB before it was downgraded to bronze.

He added: "The margin between gold and bronze was less than a foot; being able to capture that moment was incredible."

He had the chance to work with some of the world's best sport photographers at the Olympics, and will return to Paris for the Paralympics to cover six days of competition.

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