45,000 volunteers are preparing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in Paris this year.
45,000 volunteers will work pro bono during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, and some are ready to do anything to participate.
“We take our time because we do this out of passion,” sums up Francis, who lives in Nancy. During the Games, he will manage the photographers at the Stade de France. To honor his mission, he agrees to pay for his return journeys by train between Nancy and Paris.
400 euros in personal expenses
“We don’t look at the financial aspect when we get involved in this movement. All major events can only exist because there are volunteers.”
These volunteers are only paid for on-site transportation or meals. “There were several of us who said we were ready to pay, so somehow we’re not looking for compensation,” he says.
For Hélène, a volunteer who lives in Bry-sur-Marne (Val-de-Marne), the trip is also significant. “The Palace of Versailles is not next door, it’s 2 hours by public transport,” she explains. However, the volunteer is ready to make this journey every day. A reward according to her, which has a special taste. “For once, I want to see it with my own eyes, not through the screen. I can’t wait.”
“We want to give as much as possible”
Christian, who lives in Saint-Denis, will volunteer at the Stade de France in charge of volunteers for the Olympic Games and athletes for the Paralympic Games.
Highly motivated, he was ready to be requisitioned for the entire period of the Games. “In total, I’m only mobilized for thirteen days, which I personally don’t think is much, because when you’re free, you want to give as much as possible.”
Despite the voluntary conditions, he does not want to count his hours. “There’s the schedule as written, but we’re not going to release a mission at 3:01 p.m., because we’re only scheduled for 3 p.m. As long as there’s work, we’ll continue to work, so the show finds place in good terms.”
These three volunteers accept all these efforts because they are driven by the desire to participate “in the greatest event in the world” by having the opportunity “to be part of a big family”.
Especially since the Olympic Games rarely take place twice in the same place. For them, “it was now or never,” explains Christian.
