For Ezra Balingit, going to the 2024 Paris Olympics as a volunteer will be a great opportunity for her to gain experience and better understanding in managing sports events.
The 24-year-old Balingit, a coach and former junior national athlete in taekwondo, will be assigned with the events’ management group that will handle the men’s football games, to be held in Nice, France from July 24 to March 10.
“I wanted to get into sports industry, specifically in sports management. When I saw this opening, I thought this will be the first time for me to do this. And this will be the first step towards my goals,” she said.
Balingit is one of nine volunteers picked to be among those who will do specific tasks without pay during the quadrennial meet.
“My task would most likely be about the venue itself. But I will know more when I get there,” said Balingit.
Football matches will also be played in Bordeaux, Décine-Charpieu, Marseille, Nantes, Nice and Saint-Étienne.
The Filipino volunteers were presented to the Philippine Sports Commission following a training course over the last two days.
The rest of the volunteers, like youth leaders Jeneca Rambaon, John Vincent Balawen, Monica Chavez and Romina Manahan, will get to help in the Athletes’ Village and with the various National Olympic Committees involved.
The volunteers, who were chosen from 112 applicants, will be given jobs as committee assistants and sports assistants of the different sports bodies involved. It will be part of their mission to ensure that the Games go on smoothly.
Two para-athletes, Daisy Jane Omega and Brylle Arombo will work with organizers during the Paralympics.
The training course was done by the PSC in partnership with the French Embassy at the VIP Room of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Peter Atencio