As this summer of enthusiastic support for athletes, nationwide, draws to a close, we look back at these incredible 2024 Games by hearing from four graduates. Behind the scenes, as a volunteer, official, IT system infrastructure manager or technical director, they all contributed in their own way to the magic of Paris 2024!
Frédéric, cohort of 1997, director at the organizing committee's technical/energy department
Since 2019, Frédéric has headed up the departments for Compliance-safety, energy, engineering, Maintenance-operation and worksite organization within the Organizing Committee. It was an extraordinary experience for him, with a fair amount of stress involved!
He had a crucial role to play at these Games, his main responsibilities being to:
- Define the power supply strategies for the venues
- Prepare calls for tenders for the design, implementation and operations necessary for the power supply systems, including partnerships, managing contracts and relations with the various stakeholders
- Form and manage a team of 200 people
Electricity is necessary everywhere and the stakes were sky-high (billions of television viewers, the athletes’ performances measured or filmed by hundreds of systems…. Not to mention the air conditioning required for the athletes to achieve optimal performances or for the health of the para-athletes).
From this experience, Frédéric particularly highlights
the intense and rewarding human encounters in a unique context of jubilation and stress. In a nutshell, I learned an unprecedented amount on a personal and professional level.
Benjamin, 2023 co-operative engineering graduate, in the organizing committee's technology department
On graduating from the school in September 2023, Benjamin worked on the “TECH” parts of the support venues.
My role was to manage the IT system infrastructure and more generally the technological aspects of some one hundred venues of all sizes.
Though this work was carried out behind the scenes, it was essential for the smooth running of the Games. “Today, no technology means no computer equipment for the teams, no Internet connection, no time-keeping, no scoring…”
For Benjamin, the operational phase of the Games wasn’t as busy as the months leading up to them.
I was lucky to be able to get to a lot of competition venues and to watch a lot of events. I was at the pool when Léon Marchand won his 2nd gold meal, at Roland Garros for Djokovic’s win, and in front of the Tour Eiffel to see Remco Evenepoel’s victory! So many unforgettable moments that only the Games can deliver.
Marion, graduate of the marine renewable energies expert specialized advanced master's degree, volunteer
Marion volunteered to help in the athletes’ services team for the archery and para-archery events on the Invalides site.
Her duties involved access control, welcoming the athletes and their coaches and ensuring their safety and comfort.
What I loved was being able to mingle with the athletes during their training sessions, the competition phases and their quieter times too. I met such nice and inspiring people from all over the world, and there was a great atmosphere within the volunteers’ team.
Morgan, co-operative engineering garduate (2019 cohort), para-swimming official
After years of swimming himself and an impressive medals count (gold, silver and bronze at the 2023 World Dwarf Games), Morgan has now turned to umpiring, which has given his insight into another side of his sport.
Selected as an international technical official for para-swimming during the Paralympic Games, his duties involved checking the swimmers’ regularity of turns and arrivals during their races.
These Games were an amazing experience! When I began my umpire training in 2016, I had no idea that, 8 years later, I would be a technical official at the Games!
An international swimming judge, Morgan hopes to have umpiring opportunities at other competitions like the World Cup or European Championships in the years to come.
