Author: orosewarne

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Paris

Reflecting on Paris 2024 and Looking Forward to LA28

Since flying back to the States, I have reflected on my time in Paris. I have shared my stories with friends and family about my experiences with speakers, events, and iconic landmarks. I was honored to see many Olympians from the current and past games. On the streets of Paris, I saw Simone Biles walk by, which left me in awe. In the Team USA House, I saw Bobby Finke and got a picture with Frederick Richard. After watching the NBC streams of the Olympics and these athletes for the past four summer games, seeing them in person was a significant highlight of the trip.

Arun, Ava, and I with Frederick Richard and Paul Juda

I look forward more to the next Olympic Games in Milan and LA because now I do not only see the Olympics as games, instead, I see it as a movement and opportunity to work. After hearing stories from speakers about their initial connection with the Games and how they moved on to work for a bid, I recognized these stories from my own experience. The Olympics help develop nations and humanity through sport, and that is a movement that I want to advocate for.

I am incredibly grateful for these new memories and friends I made along the way. As one of the younger students in the class, I was fortunate to be surrounded by my class, which was a great support system. I reflect on when people would share their challenges and prosperous moments that you do not always hear. My professors, Dr. Neirotti, Terrence, and Lisa, have also become inspirations to me and my future. Each of their connections and successes led our class to have new-founded ideas about the Olympics. I could not have asked for a better group of people to share this experience with.

Ava, Krista, and I with Phryge

Paris 2024 exceeded my expectations, and I learned more from this experience than I could have asked for. I hope to continue my Olympic journey for LA28. I will continue to reflect on all my experiences in Paris and expand my knowledge of the Olympics. I hope to one day have stories of the Olympics to inspire the next generation and continue to advocate for the Olympic movement.

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Paris

Final Moments of Paris 2024

We have finally approached the end of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Through this experience, I have made many new friends and memories. I have seen the Olympics through a different lens that expanded my understanding of sports management and the Olympic Movement.

The best part of the final days here was seeing the International Broadcasting Center. It was interesting to see the number of people and TV screens for broadcasting. I always watched NBC for the Olympics, but seeing all the other broadcast and commentating sites was unbelievable. We got to see how the new AI technology shows replays and breakdowns of plays during matches. This was a true behind-the-scenes moment of the Olympics.

Another highlight of the week was going to the Olympic Village. All the flags and decorations outside of every team’s apartments were special. It is exciting to know that all the housing will be converted into community housing after the Olympics as a component of the Paris Organizing Committee’s legacy. We also found a café in the Village with the famous chocolate muffin that athletes shared on social media. It was delicious, and I understand all the attention it is getting now.

Finally, another remarkable moment was the class cruise along the Seine. We experienced the best views along the Seine, like Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. The most beautiful view was the rings on the Eiffel Tower at night. I thought about our speaker event with Michael Payne, who coordinated the first time the rings were placed on an iconic structure in the 2000 Sydney Games on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The rings on the Eiffel Tower became a moment I looked forward to seeing every chance I got, especially when the hour hit at night when it would sparkle.

I look forward to what LA28 will bring and hope to have a role in the Games as I did in Paris. This experience was once in a lifetime, and I could not be more grateful for the memories I made along the way. I want to thank all my classmates and professors for making this trip unforgettable!

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Paris

This Week’s Highlight: Hospitality Houses

The Olympic Closing Ceremony is approaching fast, and the past week has flown by. From our inspiring guest speakers to visiting countries’ hospitality houses, I understand the Olympic Movement more and more every day. I have explored the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, Columbia, Switzerland, and France hospitality houses. Each house displays cultural features that make guests from those countries feel at home. They stream events from their own broadcasts to tailor the focus on games to their customers.

One of my favorite parts about volunteering at the USA House is listening to the guests cheer on competing athletes. To hear the roars of applause and watching people high-five each other tells a story about what the Olympics does. The other is watching current and past athletes take pictures and share stories. The generations of athletes who have all experienced different games are eye-opening to see in a social context instead of competition.


The Netherlands House knows how to have the most fun for watching their athletes. Hundreds of stadium seats filled the watch room for guests to party and cheer in. The focus of their hospitality was entertainment. Loud music and stage events made watching the Dutch athletes more fun.

Casa Columbia group picture with one of the house’s directors

Casa Columbia was full of culture and life. The food, concerts, and people created an unforgettable energy. My pollo asado with broccoli, corn, and potatoes was one of my favorite meals ever. We were fortunate to be given a tour of the house, a sample of properly made Columbian coffee, and an outdoor concert. Shout out to Daniela for making that experience happen!

Club France’s outdoor area

Club France was the optimal host city hospitality house based on scale and energy. The inside portion of the house was full of activities, food, and drinks. Meanwhile, the outdoor portion looked like a music festival. An enormous crowd filled the area and faced a large screen playing the French broadcast.

The hospitality houses host athletes, sponsors, events, and the public. They are a significant representation of the Olympic Movement. They are a space for people to visit a house represented by their home country and a space for people to learn about different cultures they have never visited. The houses provided an opportunity to experience many cultures within a small distance from one another.

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Paris

“It Takes a Village”

If there is one saying I have heard that describes the organization of the Olympics, it is “It takes a village.” I got this from Rebecca Perez, one of our guest speakers and a business venue operator. From what I have learned, nothing is perfect until the end of the Olympics.

Volunteering at the Team USA House for the first time gave me hands-on experience working in the Olympics. The USA House is spectacular, and the level of hospitality served is beyond anything I have seen before. During my first shift on Saturday, I recognized how important it is for Olympians, sponsors, and the public to have a gathering place all for Team USA. Everyone there is so kind and accommodating. It really does take a village to make the experience that one will never forget.  

On Monday, I attended my first event, beach volleyball, at the Eiffel Tour Stade or Eiffel Tower Stadium. When I was on the metro, I looked up at the stops the train was going to next, and the stop for my destination had Eiffel Tour Stade written beneath it. Every venue was highlighted for each train stop to help spectators’ transportation to their events.

The Eiffel Tour Stade was unbelievable. It was incredible to watch a USA vs. France beach volleyball match surrounded by a venue with mostly Team France fans and a view of the Eiffel Tower. The experience got even better when the USA crushed France in two sets. The Eiffel Tour Stade is one of the city’s greatest accomplishments as a host for the Olympics.

Another feature the Paris 2024 provided is the sports clubs that are free and open to the public. My roommates and I passed a sports club when touring near the Notre Dame Cathedral. The club had a large screen playing the equestrian events, volleyball courts, food, and an official Paris 2024 shop. These spaces were built to include the community in more ways than purchasing event tickets, hospitality packages, or team houses. It was exciting to watch people play badminton with their families or strangers.  

It takes a village to make the Olympics. From the athletes winning gold to the volunteers greeting guests at the front gates, it builds a community like no other.

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Paris

DC to Paris 2024

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.