Chongqing - The Paris Olympics are in full swing, showcasing outstanding athletes, enthusiastic spectators, and 45,000 volunteers (including both the Olympics and Paralympics), 20 percent of whom come from outside France. According to Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the successful operation of such a densely scheduled event relies heavily on the dedicated contributions of volunteers.

Among these volunteers are young people from Chongqing, selected from over 300,000 applicants worldwide. These young Chongqing volunteers embody the spirit of youth by bringing their passion and sense of responsibility to the Parisian stage.

Embracing the world

"I was in high school during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the Olympic spirit has been rooted in my heart since then," said Que Songyang, a multilingual post-90s volunteer from Chongqing who speaks Chinese, English, French, and Korean. He is assigned to the Grand Palais in Paris this time, assisting with audience guidance. 

Que Songyang guiding spectators at the Grand Palais during the Paris Olympics. (Photo/The interviewee)

How did they bring their dreams to fruition at the Paris Olympics?

Liu Xunjü, a doctoral student from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and a native Chongqing student, is currently studying in France as an exchange student. Upon seeing the Paris Organizing Committee's volunteer recruitment announcement in March last year, she immediately applied, submitting her personal information, experiences, and motivations for wanting to be a volunteer. 

On June 24 this year, Liu received an email assigning her to guide spectators at the Bordeaux Stadium for football events. "My efforts paid off. Shortly after starting, I helped an elderly couple who couldn't use their cards find the manual ticket check entrance," said Liu.

Liu Xunjü takes photos with her international colleagues. (Photo/The interviewee)

An Di, a post-95s Chongqing volunteer pursuing a master's degree in France, was assigned to guide spectators at the modern pentathlon and equestrian venues in Versailles. Given the vast venue size and complex seating layout, organizers meticulously prepared a training session akin to a treasure hunt. Di explained that volunteers followed photo clues during training to locate specific spots within the venue, receiving on-site training from professionals upon successful location. The training covered vehicle operation processes, wheelchair safety boarding techniques, services for disabled individuals, and emergency response measures for lost children or disoriented spectators, ensuring rapid and effective responses to various situations during the games.

Chongqing volunteer Andy at the volunteer signature wall. (Photo/The interviewee)

Wu Siyu, a post-00s Chongqing volunteer who is also studying in France, supports global media reporters at the national golf course on the outskirts of Paris. She recounted an incident where a Korean spectator unfamiliar with French and English lost his phone on a scorching day exceeding 33°C. Fluent in English, French, and Korean, she was quickly summoned as a "savior" to the scene.

Wu Siyu (left) was interviewed at the Paris Olympics Volunteer Conference. (Photo/The interviewee)

"I saw the Korean spectator sweating profusely, so I reassured him in Korean that we would do our best to help," Wu recalled. After some effort, the phone was recovered, and the grateful Korean spectator smiled, using a translation app to say, "Thank you, Chinese friend!" This scene drew approving looks from those around and deeply moved Wu, making her feel the boundless warmth of volunteer service. 

"It's an honor to embrace the world with love on the Paris stage and showcase the warmth of Chinese youth," said Wu.

Showing confidence and enthusiasm

Night after night in Paris, Chongqing volunteers swiftly integrated into the global volunteer family, earning the admiration of international visitors and fellow volunteers through their professionalism and dedication, embodying confidence and enthusiasm.

"I always proudly tell them that confidence and enthusiasm are the core traits of Sichuan and Chongqing people," said Li Guangping, a Chongqing volunteer and doctoral student at Université Paris Cité.

She believes that Chongqing's open and inclusive nature aligns perfectly with the Olympic spirit. "We are proud of our hometown and hope more people can understand and fall in love with it. When people think of Chongqing, they think of the 'hometown of hotpot,' with its unique spicy flavors inspiring endless yearning. I also hope to share this flavor and enthusiasm with friends from around the world."

Chongqing volunteer Li Guangping cheering for Chinese athletes during the Paris Olympics. (Photo/The interviewee)

Coincidentally, the other four Chongqing volunteers shared that their overseas experiences honed their cooking skills. They can cook spicy hotpots, red-hot chicken dishes, and mouth-watering fish. These authentic Chongqing delicacies often become gourmet treats they invite friends from around the world to taste, bridging distances with hospitality.

Beyond food, Chongqing volunteers strive to showcase Chongqing's multifaceted charm. Andy mentioned that with Chongqing's cityscape documentaries gaining popularity on video platforms, his hometown is becoming one of the cities best representing China's image. "I hope to use this opportunity as an Olympic volunteer to further recommend my hometown to friends from various countries."

Liu and Wu also expressed that their international volunteer friends are eager to hear about China's stories and Chongqing's unique cultural charm and long to visit Chongqing.

Building bridges of friendship

Through this valuable experience, Chongqing volunteers witnessed the Olympics' passion and glory. They became ambassadors of love and peace, bringing Chongqing's warmth to Paris and carrying back the warmth experienced in Paris.

During the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, French culture's rich and profound history was vividly displayed, earning Liu's deep respect. What surprised her was that right after the ceremony, several international friends eagerly invited her to review the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony with them, marveling at its "unbelievable" moments. "The Beijing Olympics opening ceremony is not just China's pride but globally recognized as the 'pinnacle of Olympic ceremonies.' I think the international community's recognition of it reflects their appreciation of Chinese culture."

"To me, friendship and struggle are the essence of this Olympics," continued Liu. "Of course, relaxation and inclusiveness are also prominent themes of the Paris Olympics, including for the volunteer community."

Chongqing volunteers reported that eight out of ten colleagues were French, and they communicated naturally with visitors. Additionally, the venues featured visually impaired volunteers working with guide dogs and wheelchair-bound staff assisting visitors, embodying the love and inclusiveness that define the Paris Olympics.

"For example, when music played at the football stadium, many volunteers would sway to the rhythm, creating a party-like atmosphere, as if at a joyful gathering. We learned the art of relaxation from French colleagues, while foreign colleagues learned our rigorous work ethic. Different cultures meet and blend at the Olympics, fully manifesting the Olympic spirit of unity in diversity," said Liu.

"The passion of the Paris Olympics inspires us, and the Chinese voice reaches across mountains and seas, touching the hearts of international friends," said Wu. She had just purchased a French newspaper featuring Chinese table tennis athletes to bring home as a keepsake. "I witnessed numerous Chinese elements appearing on the Olympic stage, sparking lively discussions among fellow international volunteers, which made me feel especially proud!"

She also recalled her experience being interviewed by the official account of the Paris Olympics Volunteer Conference in March, "When I told the world in front of the camera that we were from China, a sense of pride and mission welled up in me. I thought, as a Chinese volunteer, I must bridge China and the world with profound national pride and practical actions."