2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games: a look back in pictures and testimonials at the amazing efforts of citizens and Institut Pasteur staff

Throughout summer 2024, the newsletter team presented some of the Institut Pasteur staff who played a role in the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, whether in their capacity as an Institut Pasteur staff member, a volunteer or a sports person. A huge number of staff were personally involved in the event, serving the values of sport and giving their time to support the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all those associated with them. They all came back with wonderful memories and were delighted with the tasks they had been given and the chance to play their part.

Read on for their stories in words and photos:

 

Olinda Alegria-Prevot – Athletes' services volunteer for the triathlon and para triathlon events and runner in the Marathon for All.

Everyone said it would be chaos during the Games, but for me Paris was a huge party!
I was determined to be a part of it! All the best plans start with a dream, and that's how I came to be selected as "Volunteer for the road cycling, triathlon and para triathlon competitions." I saw for myself that excellence leaves nothing to chance. I experienced indescribable moments, from the bike compliance checks (they really are technological masterpieces!) to the fact of doing our job as discreetly as possible to allow the athletes to concentrate and put in their best performance.
I also appreciated the warmth, contact and communication between all the volunteers, managers, officials, athletes, press and spectators.
One moment in particular stands out for me, when I was able to help two members of the public in a special way. No provision had been made for a blind couple who had come along to the race walking. Even today, looking back, I have fond memories of this episode, as I was able to lend my eyes and my voice to describe the atmosphere and the technical details – like an "image whisperer" at the foot of the Eiffel Tower – and help them experience the collective energy of the Olympic Games.
A few days later, I had the privilege of running the Marathon for All, and even though I hadn't set myself a target time, I am proud to have finished (in 4 hrs. 07) as the route was very demanding. That morning, even the legend Eliud Kipchoge had dropped out of the men's marathon.
During my preparations I had doubts, I had to readjust my strategy, but I was inspired by the great athletes who had gone before. I was never alone – I was supported by my family, the Institut Pasteur community and my coach, and I am grateful for all the messages and encouragements I received. When I took to the starting line, I was determined to finish the race and push my limits!
It really was a dream, an adventure deep within myself, an experience that will remain with me forever, especially as six years ago I could never even have imagined running 5km!

 

Anthony Bouillon – Volunteer for Paris City Hall for the Olympic Games, who helped coordinate the "Terrasse des Jeux," a venue for Olympic festivities on the forecourt of Paris City Hall

The experience was a truly memorable one. What I will take away above all is the human encounters, working with the other volunteers and meeting all the visitors, adults and children alike, in the fan zone at Paris City Hall, where there was an incredible atmosphere – as there was everywhere –, thanks to the Paralympic and Olympic athletes, who brought us such joy and inspiration during the Games. Thanks to them for these magical two weeks! The venue I was working at also meant that I was able to discover several sports like wrestling and blind football, for which there were fun demonstrations that really contributed to the atmosphere. Thanks to all the organizers and volunteers who made it all possible! The experience was really fulfilling and has made me want to look for another volunteering opportunity that showcases the values of mutual support, community and openness to others.

Xavier Carré – First aid volunteer for the Red Cross who served at the Olympic and Paralympic Games

"Serving others" wasn't just a figure of speech! Meeting other people involved in public safety, learning to work together, taking care of everyone, regardless of where they are from and whether or not they have a disability. Solidarity and humanity really are possible... What will be the legacy of these Olympic and Paralympic Games? For me personally, it has made me want to promote first aid training among disabled people, because the Games taught me that we are all capable in our own way.

Isabelle Casademont – Volunteer for the Paris 2024 Olympic organizing team, assigned to audiovisual presentation for the golf events in Guyancourt

Experiencing the Olympic and Paralympic Games as a volunteer was a magical two weeks, and it took me a long time to come down from my cloud! There was an incredible atmosphere, and I was lucky enough to be behind the scenes for the preparations for the medal ceremony – an unforgettable experience! During the rehearsals for the ceremony, we were asked to stand in for the winners – so I was lucky enough to step onto the podium and for a few seconds to feel what it must be like to be an Olympic medalist. Incredible! In my role helping spectators, people often expressed their gratitude to the volunteers, and that made me want to continue volunteering for sports events in the future.

Patty Chen – Volunteer for the Paris 2024 Olympic organizing team as a National Olympic Committee Assistant for New Zealand.

"Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter." Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together. All athletes who aim to be the best and give their all, are carried on the shoulders of an extremely large group of people who come together to support them. Trainers, support staff, organizers, umpires, volunteers, media, sponsors... the list is endless! The Paris Olympics has allowed me to be part of that group and the experience has been truly inspirational and amazing. I hope to continue being part of this group for future events and to inspire others to get involved and live this rich experience.

Nathalie Denoyés – Olympic torch bearer

My experience as an Olympic torch bearer and guide for three pentathletes at the Paris Olympic Games was a real immersion into the quest for excellence and outstanding performance. For me, carrying the torch symbolized a commitment to upholding the values of surpassing one's limits, resilience and solidarity. Alongside the pentathletes, I saw at first-hand their personal investment, sacrifices and determination to push their limits, and that was a source of inspiration and a powerful reminder of the importance of physical and above all mental preparation, as well as perseverance. This experience also deepened my understanding of how to manage performance under pressure, of the power of mental preparation, teamwork and the impact of individual effort in achieving a shared goal. It motivated me to apply these lessons in my own professional and personal challenges, always aiming higher and finding solutions to overcome our own limits.

Annick Dujeancourt-Henry – Volunteer for the Paris 2024 Olympic organizing team on the route of the men's and women's road cycling event and for the night-time "Marathon for All." Also involved in the Paralympic Games as a "sports presentation volunteer" for the para cycling in Clichy and the Paralympic marathon in La Courneuve.

What an incredible, joyful experience! And what an honor to have been able to volunteer during the Olympic Games and especially the Paralympic Games (cycling, night-time Marathon for All, triathlon, para cycling, para athletics, para marathon, etc.). The days were intense but it was a time of real euphoria. It was so inspiring and amazing – well done to all the athletes! What a sacrifice! Thank you!

Gauthier Dulary – Reservist for the gendarmerie, tasked with transport security for the Games

This mission was a real challenge, both physically and mentally, because of the complex nature of the working environment. From a professional perspective, it was particularly rewarding because of the opportunity to meet and talk to members of the Spanish Guardia Civil and to compare the similarities and differences between our respective institutions. From a personal perspective, the experience of being deployed in Paris to contribute to this amazing event, at our own level, was unforgettable, especially as we were well received by the public, both from France and abroad.

François Gardy – Reserve Chief Warrant Officer for the Yvelines departmental gendarmerie unit, tasked with security at local Olympic sites such as Golf National or the cycling venue.

It was an incredible experience, with such a mix of people and the chance to meet supporters from all over the world, as well as police forces from different countries such as the Guardia Civil for Spain, the British police and the Italian Polizia. We started surveillance at some venues as early as July 6, including Golf National, which I was involved in. The aim was to provide 24/7 security at these venues to prevent any attacks, especially from environmental activists or others, until the end of the golf events during this first part of the Olympic Games. Then came the "second half" of the Games with the start of the Paralympics, and there my mission was transport security and security for some of the venues in Paris. It was a truly memorable experience, and we were also able to provide help and assistance for supporters in wheelchairs who had to grapple with the lack of access to public transport. Our main task was to provide security for venues and people, but it was especially satisfying to be able to offer valuable help to vulnerable people as well. I was in charge of certain procedures, and so it was also an opportunity to work closely with my staff and to share human values, despite the intensity and the pressures of our work during these Paris 2024 Olympics.

Florence Guivel-Benhassine – Lead volunteer for Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines during the 2024 Olympics

From the very first moment, I knew that the 2024 Paris Olympics would be a unique experience and one that I didn't want to miss. In 2022, I decided to go for it and to apply to the volunteer program. I applied for the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines area, where four disciplines would be taking place during the Olympic fortnight. The idea of welcoming visitors and sharing my passion for our region filled me with enthusiasm: there was no doubt that welcoming the public, seeing their smiles, guiding them and reassuring them was something I would want to do.
We had the immense good fortune to be chosen by lot to attend the opening ceremony. I was able to invite three Institut Pasteur colleagues, including Anthony who was also a volunteer like me. Despite the unexpected torrential rain, there was a magical atmosphere. The collective joy, the shared sense of wonder – that will stay with me for some time. We came home soaked but happy, our brand new volunteer outfits needing a wash, but full of enthusiasm and excitement for what lay ahead. On Saturday July 27, I started my first mission in the rain, wearing boots. My supervisors had appointed me as lead volunteer for six out of eight missions. I could feel the pressure but above all I was really excited to get stuck in. My task was to supervise around a dozen volunteers, making sure they were OK and had understood the tasks they had been given. The first weekend at Elancourt Hill began with a French gold medal in the women's event, which set the tone. It was the start of a two-week-long party! The next day I did find myself consoling a little boy who had come with his dad – they had mixed up the dates and their tickets were for the previous day, so they weren't able to watch the men's events.
In the meantime I had to juggle with work on weekdays. But how could I have resisted the lure of the Olympics? The following weekend saw the excitement of the BMX events, with a clean sweep of French medalists at their home Games – we couldn't have asked for more. A couple had surprised their two young sons at the very last minute with tickets to the Games, and what an evening lay in store for them!
Our trainers had insisted that, as volunteers, we would be the first smiles the spectators would see. They forgot to tell us that we would also be the last smiles they would see before heading home, after a magical evening like that one. The experience left a lasting impact on me and I am delighted to have the chance to share it with other volunteers from the Institut Pasteur over lunch in the canteen or with you through the newsletter.
Following this experience, I agreed to join a committee of stakeholders to assess the urban impact of the Paris 2024 Olympics. This is a way of continuing the adventure, continuing to volunteer and to serve my city and my fellow citizens.

Cécile Markarian – Volunteer for the Paris 2024 Olympic organizing team, assigned as a spectator services volunteer for the triathlon, archery, cycling time trial and marathon events. Then involved in the Paralympic Games for the taekwondo competition held in the Grand Palais, as an athletes' services volunteer

A truly memorable experience and a new perspective on Paralympic athletes. An incredibly rewarding human experience, a moment out of time. My different tasks meant that I was able to follow several events. My best memory is the para triathlon, which I was able to follow alongside the para triathletes themselves. The cheers of the crowd, a great wave of support, in unison. I discovered the strong bond between visually impaired para athletes and their guides. It was a thrilling moment when Thibaut Rigaudeau and his guide crossed the finish line. I was also involved in the logistics of the medal ceremonies and playing the national anthems, which brought tears to my eyes. What's next? Becoming a guide, of course! I have joined the charity BINOMES and received training in guiding athletes, and this gave me the chance to meet Thibaut Rigaudeau, who is patron of the charity! BINOMES is even going to come to the Institut Pasteur to set up a running group. It's all part of the legacy of the Games!

Claire Meunier – Volunteer for the Paris 2024 Olympic organizing team as a workforce team member, then, at the Paralympics, driver of vehicles for the Olympic fleet to transport members of the Olympic committees, international federations and national committees.

Two experiences (Olympics and Paralympics) that enabled me to meet some wonderful people and experience unforgettable moments and acts of kindness. Two experiences that were sometimes stressful, sometimes fun, sometimes disappointing, sometimes amazing, sometimes exhausting and sometimes moving. Unforgettable moments!

Among the volunteers of the 2024 Paralympic Games