According to delighted British rowing fans, who have been showered with success during London 2012, Fada Abiah, a 24-year-old student from Nigeria, is one of the friendliest voices welcoming visitors as they approach the rowing venue.

Sitting on a high chair, megaphone in hand, it’s Fada’s task to greet the thousands of spectators progressing past him each morning and he's been going down a storm.

However, the normally shy student admits he didn't originally take to the task like a duck-to-water. He said: “Initially, I didn’t like it. I was a bit nervous on the first day but now I love it, I really do. It’s fantastic. I see so many happy faces around.

“I just really hope everyone enjoys themselves. When they arrive I tell them they will enjoy themselves and then when they come back I try to find out if they have.”

A Banking and Finance postgraduate at Reading University, Fada applied for his role with security firm, Broadbase, because it’s a “chance to be part of a lifetime event”.

“Sometimes I pretend I don’t know how to speak English, so I’ll say, ‘Me, not English, I’m French – bonjour ladies and gentlemen.’ Or sometimes I say ‘Go GB!'

“I thank people for coming and thank them for thanking me – many people find that funny.”

Look out for Fada if you are visiting Eton Dorney and give him a wave. He plans to be there for the rowing event finale on Saturday 4th August – that’s if his voice holds out.

Image credit: British Rowing