For two weeks, I worked with the Sports Presentation Team at the Paris South Arena, a unique venue that hosted four sports - handball, volleyball, weightlifting, and table tennis- supported by over 2,000 volunteers. 

This experience added significant value to my career as a sports and event manager, having worked on international and continental multi-sport events and most recently as Event Supervisor for the FIBA3X3 U23 Nations League competitions, Americas - Mexico City. 

My journey began on 16 November 2023 when I was selected for the Paris 2024 Volunteer Programme. The online training and preparation sessions were well organised and ensured that we were ready for our roles. The support provided to volunteers during the Games, from transport to daily briefings, motivated us to give our best alongside the athletes and spectators. 

The most memorable moments were seeing the joy and pride on the faces of my colleagues and the athletes, especially during the volleyball final when the French men's team won gold. The atmosphere was electric and it was a truly unique experience. 

This wasn't my first Olympic experience, as I had the privilege of experiencing the London 2012 Olympic Games first hand. During this time, I worked with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) on their Africa Village Project, and I also represented the JSPORTS brand, a recognised leader in sports equipment across Africa, supporting 16 African NOCs/NPCs that they partnered with. 

These experiences fuelled my passion for sports management and inspired me to start my own sports consultancy company, SIREM SPORTS, where I pioneered the promotion of FIBA 3x3 basketball in Senegal. I also launched the Africa Talk Sports web conferences during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the African Olympic and Paralympic Movement. 

I'm proud that we, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games volunteers, played an important role in the success of the Games, creating lasting memories and a legacy. Volunteering for Paris 2024 was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that allowed me to connect with people from all over the world, develop new skills and gain invaluable experience. 

A big thank you to everyone at the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, especially the volunteers department. This shared experience is something we will carry with us forever.

By Mouhamadou Moustapha Sall.