by Sportswriters Wang Meng and Niu Mengtong

NINGBO, China, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) --When Jamie Stangroom takes the microphone at the ISSF World Cup in Ningbo, his voice echoes through the venue with a calm, precise tone familiar to athletes and fans. A decade ago, however, the Briton was more likely to be found interviewing rock bands than introducing Olympic champions.

"I started off as a music journalist, interviewing singers and artists," recalled Stangroom, who goes by Jamie. "I did a little bit of Premier League work, but it was more entertainment. I loved sport, but the way my career went, it was music."

That changed unexpectedly in 2016. A colleague at BBC Radio learned through networking that the ISSF needed a new announcer. Jamie recorded a short voice demo, landed an invitation to a World Cup and found himself plunged into a new world. With no prior experience in shooting, his preparation consisted of watching YouTube clips.

Jamie quickly discovered the sport's intricacies. "Over time I learned, and I'm still learning," he said. "But I've fallen in love with it."

For the audience, Jamie is the guide through the often-technical drama of shooting finals, where fractions of a point separate victory from defeat. His task is to create atmosphere without breaking the athletes' fragile concentration.

"On the surface, it looks like you're there only for the spectators," he said. "But you're also there for the athletes. Timing is important, and you're part of that. The challenge is balancing energy in the hall with respect for their focus."

The 40-year-old noted that younger competitors often embrace noisy crowds, while veterans recall quieter years with no DJs or announcers. "Most athletes say they like a big atmosphere," he said. "But there has to be a ceiling, because concentration is everything."

To Jamie, shooting's appeal lies in its paradoxes: the calm precision of the competition set against the intensity of the atmosphere. He also noted that the sport is not just about focus; the deeper one gets into it, the more one learns "it's quite physical."

"In [50m rifle] three positions, the final could last 50 minutes. It's hot here in Ningbo, and you have to stay as still as possible. The shotguns can be pretty heavy, and you need to move around," he explained.

One of the most striking aspects for him is the range of athletes the sport accommodates. "You can see a 16-year-old competing against a 45-year-old, and both have the same chance," he said. "That longevity creates incredible stories."

The sense of community also appeals to him. Traveling from event to event with the same athletes and officials, friendships form beyond the range. "They're not just athletes in front of the camera," he said. "They're humans, too. You get to know their lives away from shooting."

Jamie has announced at two Olympic Games: the Tokyo 2020 Games, where pandemic restrictions left him addressing empty seats but trying his best to create a 'normal' atmosphere, and the Paris 2024 Games, where full crowds restored the roar of competition. Both, he said, were unforgettable.

But Ningbo left a particular impression. "The venue is genuinely one of the best I've seen in the world," he said, praising its organization, presentation and branding. "It's definitely up there with the very best."

Though his first days in China were spent shuttling between the hotel, airport and venue, Jamie was quick to praise the warmth of local organizers and volunteers. "Everyone has been brilliant," he said, adding with a smile that he enjoys Chinese food, though he sometimes opts for a fork over chopsticks.

As the ISSF World Cup season drew to a close in Ningbo, he reflected on what made this stop special.

"Usually we see Chinese athletes competing abroad," he said. "But here we get to see them at home, in front of their own fans. It's been unique to experience that."

For Jamie, the job remains both demanding and rewarding, whether he is juggling live scoring, mastering difficult pronunciations or scripting athlete introductions in the narrow window between qualification and finals. The excitement of the sport and its stories keep him inspired.

"It's the perfect end to the World Cup season, a perfect finale," he said. "Great competitions, a great atmosphere and one of the best venues in the world. I couldn't ask for more." ■