From TOKYO 2020 to PARIS 2024: Hello Volunteer representatives SAWAKEN and TARUMIN, along with over 10 companions, embark on the journey to the Paris Olympics/Paralympics.

SAWAKEN and TARUMIN co-representatives of “Hello Volunteer” a volunteer community rooted in the volunteers of the TOKYO 2020 Olympics and Paralympics (Field Cast/City Cast), have been selected as volunteers for the upcoming Summer Olympics and Paralympics in the PARIS 2024 Games. They have started their journey to the next Olympics and Paralympics with many fellow volunteers.

Volunteers who surpassed the estimated competition ratio of 50 times

The number of volunteer applications for the PARIS 2024 Games is an impressive 300000, with 150000 of them being from foreign nationals. Considering that the acceptance rate for foreign volunteers is typically less than 10% in any Olympics, the competition ratio for foreign volunteers alone is estimated to be around 50 times.

Among those who successfully passed through this narrow gate are not only SAWAKEN and TARUMIN but also more than 10 companions from “Hello Volunteer” community, all of whom have secured tickets to the PARIS 2024 Games.

Volunteer Journey to Paris Gets Underway

Rather than passively waiting for the main event after TOKYO 2020, we, who know how to enjoy the journey to the event as the “Volunteer Journey,” have already launched projects like the following:

• French Language Training
  In 2021, just after the Tokyo 2020 Games, SAWAKEN and TARUMIN established a self-study French language study group called “Fura-ben” with the goal of mastering French for the Paris Games. Among about 30 participants, as of the writing of this article, more than 10 have already received notifications of acceptance as volunteers for the PARIS 2024 Games, highlighting the high acceptance rate. We aim to improve our language skills to contribute to the success of the PARIS 2024 Games and lead a more enriching volunteer life.
• Olympics/Paralympics Terminology Guide for Volunteers
  Created during the TOKYO 2020 Games but overshadowed by the absence of spectators, the “Olympics/Paralympics Terminology Guide for Volunteers” in three languages (Japanese, English, and French) is being updated and reissued for the PARIS 2024 Games.
• Japanese Volunteer Custom Pin Badge
  One of the hidden joys of the Olympics and Paralympics is pin badge exchanges. In addition to official sponsor pin badges, volunteers and athlete delegations from various countries bring their creatively crafted original pin badges to gather at sports venues in Paris and across France. We also plan to create original pin badges that showcase Japanese uniqueness and look forward to participating in pin badge exchanges during the event!
  
  
  東京2020大会時に日本人ボランティアで作成したピンバッジ(左)
• TOKYO 2020 Volunteer Activity Report and Role Explanation Meeting
  Among those who received notifications for roles in the PARIS 2024 Games, some foreigners may feel anxious without a clear understanding of the specific content of each Functional Area (FA). Although the TOKYO 2020 Games took place in a unique environment without spectators, now is the time to share everything we experienced during the TOKYO 2020 Games with the world. We are considering holding this as a public seminar.

Hello Volunteer has aimed to foster and develop volunteer culture in Japan, encouraging volunteer activities at various sports events and supporting those who participate as volunteers.

As always, we hope to deliver the “joy of volunteering” and the “value of volunteering” to as many people as possible. However, the activities toward the PARIS 2024 Games are not just a “second Olympics and Paralympics” for us. It is an opportunity to foster international friendship beyond language and culture, and the bonds created by Hello Volunteer indicate the potential to shine even brighter in the future. Hello Volunteer is moving into a new phase, not just as a volunteer organization but as a symbol of international exchange and cooperation.

To the yet-to-be-seen Paris 2024 Games volunteers

We welcome not only those interested in volunteering for the PARIS 2024 Games but also those who want to enjoy the Olympics and Paralympics as spectators, and most importantly, those interested in volunteer activities. Hello Volunteer is looking forward to having you join us!