OLYMPICS /
Qing dao
Six-time Olympic volunteer dreams more
By Xue Xiaoying
Updated: 2008-08-22 16:37
Being a volunteer can also be addictive? The answer is definitely “yes” to the American publisher Jean-Pierre Caravan, for he has participated in Summer and Winter Olympics 6 times.
“I first served as a volunteer during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and very fortunate to have met many fine people along the way that made it possible to serve in other Olympics,” said Caravan.
Caravan has been with the IOC Athletes Commission Election since 2004 Athens Games. For his wonderful work, he was elevated from an election assistant to an election officer this year and was sent to Qingdao to run the elections.
“It gives me a chance to contribute to the Olympic movement in a small way. A volunteer is a very special breed of person who is willing to give much of him.”
“Whether we are local or from the other side of the world, we are able to share the ideals of 'One World, One Dream'.”
“Each Olympics are quite different for me. As they are held each two years in different parts of the world, it gives me a chance to meet many fine people, see the world in my own eyes, to share a bit of myself and my love for the Olympics Games,”
Caravan said he was impressed by the friendliness and openness of the people and the beauty of China. Interested in Chinese art and history, he hopes to learn as much as he can with his own eyes and ears.
“I have always dreamed of visiting China but it is really something people have to see with their own eyes and experience themselves. China has always been beautiful in pictures and in books but it's just something that has to be seen and experienced in person.”
The 52-year old American said age is just a number and he never felt tired during Games. He said he will be a volunteer in next winter Olympics held in Canada.
“I think I will do it until I can’t do it any more.”