The Paris Olympic and Paralympic Volunteer Recruitment Campaign was a huge success. According to the organizing committee, more than 300,000 people have applied to participate. FRANCE 24 spoke to five aspiring volunteers who want to make their mark on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Thousands of people from across Europe have signed up to volunteer for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, seeking to play their part in the first Olympic Games to be hosted in France in a century.
“Behind every great champion is a volunteer” explain Tony Estangatepresidents of Organizing Committee of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
addressing future volunteer officially olympics website, He thanked the hopefuls “for their passion, energy and uniqueness”, adding that “they will played a key role in the success of the project Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Help them make it a memorable event.”
More than 300,000 people heeded his call—nearly seven times The organizing committee will eventually select 45,000 people.
From welcoming and guiding spectators, to leading sports delegations to competition venues, to providing medical assistance, they have a huge workload.
“It’s my turn to give back”
“It may sound pompousbut I really want France to shine exist Olympics,” said Fabian, 49. “I wanted to take advantage of this big sporting event try to make people happy, especially Make them laugh, like I do on stage. “
paris born comedianAs a Nike employee, he spent two decades traveling the world, was laid off and turned to his focus on comedy. “In my previous job, I loved seeing customers arrive unhappy and leave dissatisfied Smile.I Hope to be able to do the same for the tourists and athletes I meet. “
Fabian sees similarities between the two The world of sports and entertainment. “I guess an athlete Feel a bit like a comedian before going on stage: they might like to unwind with a few jokes. “
If they’re looking for a little peace, Fabian explain He also knows how to keep quiet.
The comedian intends to use the typically quiet summer weeks in the comedy world to give back to his country. “During my many travels, I’ve noticed that we are rich in France. So now it’s my turn to give back what my country has given me by volunteering.”
Fabian sees volunteering as a worthy cause. “This sporting extravaganza will give people some respite from all the pain in the world – while breathing fresh air Countries come together. “
Fabian, who is naturally optimistic, believes that if his bid fails, he will be fine.
“I’ll be in Paris anyway, I’ll go to this event in a different way, talking to people in the street and trying to make them smile because that’s my raison d’être“.
He also plans, along with his partner, to offer vacant rooms in apartments to those who cannot afford the large accommodation bills. It’s an opportunity to meet new people, he said.
**** Link to Elitsa’s article on Parisians and AirBnb for Olympics when online
Whether the application was successful or notFabian will “attend the party because it is the experience of a lifetime!”
“I didn’t hesitate for a moment”
Whether running, trail running, tennis or football – he played semi-professionally – Antoine, 29 years old, Never miss a sporting event.
To give himself the best chance of success, he submitted his application as soon as the website portal opened. “Participating in the Olympic game Something this close to home happens only once in a lifetime. Such a good opportunity, I did not hesitate for a moment.I jumped at the chance,” he said. explain.
at first Antoine is from the Grand East region of France and lives in Luxembourg, where he works nurse anesthetist. “I’m happy to help athletes and use my medical knowledge while immersing myself in the world of sports that I love so much,” he said. “It would be ideal if I could use my skills to feed my passion for the sport.”
antoine is not bothered Depend on Lack Compensation for volunteers. “I see have a different point of viewbut I’ve always been a volunteer in the sports world and I think it’s only natural to get involved Because it’s really a passion for me. As for the pay, that’s what I work for. “
Volunteering is in Antoine’s blood. Every year he volunteers With the Trail des Tranchées organized by his father, he runs along the historic sites around the French town of Verdun.
So it’s no surprise that Antoine’s father and partner also applied to volunteer. “It would be nice if all three some of us are chosen,” Antoine said, adding that if he didn’t, it’s “no big deal…that’s because other people have better apps than me, Here’s how it works! ”
“I’m sure I’ll be accepted, it’s definitely going to happen”
She has been climbing since she was four years old eightJed has always dreamed of winning an Olympic gold medal.
Now, the 20-year-old’s dreams of a podium finish have been dashed, despite rock climbing becoming an Olympic sport at the 2021 Tokyo Games. But her desire to compete in the Olympics remains strong. “I would love to be Olympic Gamesimmersed in the festive world for weeks sports! Maybe even meet my idols, like [French climbers] Bassa and Mickael Mawem, or Adam Ondra from the Czech Republic. That was pretty cool,” Jed said.
To make her dream come true, this third-year student is working part-time as an architectural designer in Avignon, has covered her base. In terms of accommodation, she will live with one’s sister. friend.exist Volunteer Recruitment Questionnaire, she made the most of the opportunity.It wasn’t out of opportunism or strategy, she said, but just a wish do it all. “Guiding tourists, accompanying athletes, I ticked every box on the form because I was interested in everything.”
Jed knew that volunteering at the Olympics would Economic difficulties. “If I got hired, I definitely wouldn’t be able to work all summer like I usually do. It’s not going to be easy.”
However, Jed feels Meeting other volunteers, making friends with tourists from all over the world, enjoying Paris and the perks of being out and about is well worth it financial sacrifice. “In the Olympics, I hope to find values that I really appreciate in the climbing world, like generosity and kindness.”
Jed said she’d rather not think about what would happen if she wasn’t accepted. “My imagination was way ahead of my time… I believe I will be accepted, it will definitely happen.”
“I will be rewarded generously for humanity”
By day, Ord works in the occupational health department in the Yvelines district west of Paris. At night, she works in the hospital ward.So when asked if she was concerned about fatigue during the weeks she volunteered, the young 30-something giggle.
Ord’s gentle demeanor and calm voice seemed tailor-made for reassuring patients in an emergency, and he knew how to deal with exhaustion and confusion. “In my job, I’m used to the unexpected. Sometimes you expect a quiet night and then you have two heart attacks; it’s part of the job. You adapt.”
Ord hopes to be recruited as a volunteer on the medical team. “It’s going to be a really interesting job that will make the It’s a change in my routine,” she said.
What’s more, she doesn’t rule out the possibility of working as an event nurse in the future. “The Olympics could open up new career prospects for me.”
Applying to become an Olympic volunteer first demonstrated Ord’s love for the sport. “I’ve been doing breakdancing for a long time, and I’m excited to see the sport take part in such a prestigious competition like the Olympics,” she said.
With a working husband and a three-year-old daughter, she knows Volunteer at The Olympics will be difficult to manage. Ord is even considering forgoing her family vacation. But she doesn’t see it as a sacrifice. Volunteering at the Olympics “will be such an enriching experience. I will be paid humanely and handsomely. I can’t wait for 2024!”
“It would be a real pleasure”
This time, Dan hopes to be selected as a volunteer. He doesn’t want a repeat of the mistakes he made in 2020, when his bid to compete at the Youth Olympics in Lausanne, Switzerland, was rejected.
dan, student exist Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, wanting to take advantage of his proficiency in multiple languages. “I’m not sure I’d be able to help build a stadium … but I’d love to be able to accompany the athletes or help with my technical knowledge,” Dan said shyly. “It will be a real honor.”
It was the festive spirit of the Olympics, not the sport itself, that inspired Dan to sign up.
“When I heard that French artist Wood Kidd was going to make the official song for the Olympics, I thought join What’s more,” Dan said. “Plus, I’ve always dreamed of seeing an event of this magnitude have a real opening or closing ceremony. We are not paid, but being able to participate is priceless. “
bear He was so excited about the Olympics that he even convinced his mother to apply. The taciturn father refused. “With all the violent protests we’ve seen in the media in Paris – the riots, the images of chaos – the city frightened him, as did many people. people,” said Dan. “But not me; I’m still confident.”
Dan said he would be disappointed if he wasn’t picked a second time. “I’ll watch it on Swiss TV. I’ll still appreciate the good spirit of the Olympics, where social barriers fade away.”
This article is adapted from the original French text.