On Wednesday, I will be on a red-eye plane to Paris and arrive in a city that may not look familiar to locals. I am looking forward to seeing the advanced infrastructure Paris has implemented to host the Olympics. The sustainable focus may change how Paris develops as a global tourist center. From the Olympic Village converting into a residential district to the aquatic centers offering swimming lessons, Paris looks forward to a new infrastructure that benefits the region. Paris will also experience temporary changes in its transportation and security. I am interested in observing how local Parisians react to the tourists and the country’s focus on the Olympics.
I have always enjoyed watching the Olympics on TV. However, this year, I will see the Olympics from a new perspective. My extensive research on the new ticketing and hospitality guidelines, as well as, learning about each Olympic organization, has broadened my understanding of the Olympic operations. The opportunity to volunteer at the USA House and for SponsorshipX will also allow me to explore these operations. These operations include marketing techniques, guests’ services, and hosting athletes. The USA House hosts executives, sponsors, athletes, and more for private events or conferences. It works hard to maintain operations and make the best impression on their guests. These once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to first-hand build these experiences with others will be unforgettable.
The Olympics itself is like no other sporting event. I cannot wait to attend a beach volleyball match at the Eiffel Tower Stadium. I will watch the USA men’s team compete against the French team. As a spectator from the US watching their home team play the host city team, I hope to find other Team USA fans to cheer with. The other two matches I will see are the women’s Canada vs Paraguay and Latvia vs. Switzerland. Most importantly, it is about watching all the athletes play and compete with each other from 206 countries. The Summer Olympics are only put on for two weeks every four years. That makes the Games unique compared to every other global sporting event. To watch, volunteer, and explore the Olympics with my classmates is a rare opportunity, but I hope it will not be my last time working at the Olympic Games.
