It all started a year and a half ago when I read that volunteers were needed for the London 2012 Olympic Games. I did not waste a second and immediately submitted my application form. If selected, I was ready to give up my summer holidays and roll up my sleeves to contribute to the success of the biggest sports event in the world.

To my surprise, I was recruited and assigned to the protocol unit of the Aquatics centre. I simply could not believe it! I have always done volunteer work, but this time it was going to be different. For someone like me, who adores sports and especially swimming, everything suggested it was going to be an amazing experience.

My role as a volunteer

Inside the Aquatics Centre

The protocol team at the Aquatics Centre – a group of around 60 volunteers – was responsible for hosting Olympic family members, i.e. members of Olympic Committees, National Federations, as well as their guests. Additionally, my team provided interpretation services for athletes and the press in the centre, and escorted medal and flower presenters to the victory ceremony waiting area before the ceremonies. It really was an exciting role!

During the Games, the Aquatics Centre hosted more than 1,000 athletes competing in the three aquatic disciplines of swimming, diving and synchronized swimming. Just during the first week, the swimming sessions delivered 8 world records and 23 Olympic records. The atmosphere in the centre was vibrant. I found myself with goose bumps at some points!

Feeling involved

The protocol team of the Aquatics Centre lining up

Now, a couple of days after the closing ceremony, I feel a sense of loss. It was tiring, almost exhausting sometimes, but it was worth it. The bonds of friendship with the other Games Makers, taking the tube at 7 a.m. and seeing so many people wearing the same purple adidas uniform, people stopping me in the street to ask where I was working and express their congratulations for the good work volunteers were doing … These are just a few examples of what made me feel involved in something unique.

“The most sustainable Games possible”

LOCOG promised to “make London 2012 the most sustainable Games possible”. adidas contributed to the achievement of this goal by providing products with sustainable content such as the Games Maker uniform, of which the polo shirt is made of 100 % recycled polyester. The same goes for the jacket shell, while the trousers consist of partly recycled polyester. Not only were we volunteers, but also volunteers wearing a sustainable uniform!

This year’s volunteers have been the heart of the Olympics in London. For me, this experience has meant a lot. Being one of the 70,000 volunteers at the London 2012 Olympic Games and wearing the adidas Games Maker uniform was a fantastic feeling, especially considering I join the adidas group in September as Sustainability Communications Manager. Definitely a unique experience!

To read more about the Games Maker Uniform, read this blog post.