Wirral student's role in Olympic ceremony 'an absolute privilege' (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral student's role in Olympic ceremony 'an absolute privilege'

3:02pm Wednesday 1st August 2012 in News

A WIRRAL student who performed in the Olympic Games' opening ceremony said the experience was "an absolute privilege".

Trudi Mercer volunteered when organisers began scouting for talent for the Isles of Wonder tribute to the NHS.

The 19-year-old is studying physiotherapy at Kings College London and alongside revising for tough exams rehearsed for months to perfect her dance routine.

The talented dancer was picked for her expertise in tap and modern dance which she has honed since she was four years-old.

Now back at home in West Kirby with mum Julie, dad Steve, sister Lucinda and the much-missed dog Toby, an overwhelmed Trudi spoke about the spectacular night.

She said: "The experience was unforgettable and an absolute privilege to be a part of. "Although at the time I had to dedicate to rehearsals was a major commitment, it was completely worth it in the end.

"In the three venues where we practised in, including the Olympic stadium, we had some awful weather which brought our spirits down a bit.

"But the organisers were fantastic at motivating us." At the family home on Column Road, family and friends gathered to try and catch a glimpse of straight A student Trudi dancing jive steps and before the "nightmare".

Proud mum Julie who has driven back and forth to London most weekends to support her daughter admitted she shed a few tears when the show proved to be a success.

Julie, 51, who works for Unilever, laughed: "I was very happy and I kept thinking I was boring everyone trying to show Trudi off and point out where she would be.

"But everybody cheered and laughed throughout the show - and even on the few cases of mistaken identity.

"It was a flawless display by everybody involved." Oscar-winner Danny Boyle's £27m Isles of Wonder was a celebration of British culture and featured another famous Wirral star Daniel Craig as James Bond.

But Trudi only managed to see the stunt where his character James Bond and "The Queen" jumped from the helicopter into the stadium.

The former West Kirby Grammar pupil has since watched the full show at home and admits she misses the excitement around the Olympic Park.

Trudi said: "The Olympic Park was amazing and being one of the first groups to see it was even more amazing.

"The three dress rehearsals prior to the big show built up the excitement to another level.

"But performing in front of 80,000 people was the biggest buzz of all because we had all worked so hard for months."

Once her segment finished Trudi, who coaches Tennis and is a winger for the North of England women's rugby team, was eager to catch a glimpse of her sporting heroes.

The teenager, who hopes to become a top physiotherapist after gaining her degree, watched the athletes parade and spotted the "fastest man in the world".

She beamed: "There were thousands of athletes queuing across the park, it was immense and I recorded some video on my phone of Usain Bolt.

"He was just five metres away from me at one point!"