For someone who was originally set to start my Master’s in Sport Management at George Washington University this fall, having the opportunity to join my professors, classmates, and alumni as a volunteer for Team USA at the Paris Olympics is an invaluable experience. I hope to build lasting experiences and have meaningful exchanges while exploring the behind-the-scenes stories of the Olympics, the world’s largest sporting event that occurs once every four years.
In my hometown of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, the land of pandas, a few Olympic merchandise stores have already started selling souvenirs for this year’s Paris Olympics. The photo below shows one such store located at Chengdudong Railway Station. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the blue-pink gradient Eiffel Tower I was hoping for, but I look forward to purchasing my desired memento in Paris.
Chengdudong Railway Station Olympic Merchandise Store
From October last year to April this year, I interned at Nike. This experience made me realize how crucial the Olympics is for companies like Nike. Nike China came up with many great ideas, aiming to appeal to both elite athletes and the general public. However, during this process, I also saw how a large company continuously adjusts its strategies according to different circumstances. Currently, Nike’s slogan has shifted to “Winning is Everything.” I am thrilled to explore the stories behind such major events and witness the vibrant competition among brands during my graduate program.
For my Olympic term paper, I chose the topic of Olympic volunteers. With the help of Professor Lisa, Mr. Terrence Burns, GWU alumni, and friends from my undergraduate university who are also going to be Paris Olympic Volunteers, I have gained a better understanding of volunteer management under event operations through reading and data collection. I hope to further enrich my paper with practical experiences from July 25 to August 11, engaging with guest speakers, spectators, and fellow volunteers to collect concrete data and deepen my understanding. I am also looking forward to watching the U.S. men’s basketball team in action.
This will also be my first trip to Europe. I look forward to experiencing the Olympic atmosphere during my free time and enjoying the scenic beauty and cultural heritage of France. Paris, here I come!