Shimmering light, volunteer service makes the Winter Olympics more exciting

Source: China Net

Xie Weifeng is a commentator on current affairs at China Net

When the Spring Festival and the Winter Olympics collided with a full heart, people were feeling a different "New Year's flavor". At the Winter Olympic Volunteer Service Site of the Capital Gymnasium, several volunteers explained the mascot of the Winter Olympics to the passing citizens; in Yuyuantan Park, young volunteers with childish faces explained the Winter Olympic games for tourists; at the Qinghe Railway Station of the Beijing-Zhang High-speed Railway, volunteers provided the best tourist routes for passengers... "The Covenant of Ice and Snow, the Invitation of China", the holding of the Winter Olympics made Beijing the world's first "City of The Two Olympics", tens of thousands of volunteers with bright smiles, diligent actions, Once again, it spread and displayed the most beautiful image of China to the world.

The successful holding of a top event depends not only on the meticulous preparation of the organizing committee, but also on the active participation of the people of the host country. From venue construction to logistical support, from event arrangements to epidemic prevention and control – it is the wholehearted dedication of every participant that has led to the confident declaration that "China is ready". If "Together to the Future" is a majestic symphony, then the volunteers are one of the performers. During the Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, 758 city volunteer service sites were all "open to welcome guests", more than 40,000 city volunteers took up their posts, and a total of 200,000 people will provide volunteer services. The volunteer spirit of "dedication, fraternity, mutual assistance and progress" draws larger concentric circles in the "City of The Two Olympics", and the "volunteer blue" that reaches the hearts of the people has also become the warm background of this Winter Olympic Games.

"The preparations for the Beijing Winter Olympics have been outstanding and smooth, and the wonderful venues, comprehensive epidemic prevention measures, and advanced sustainable operation concepts are amazing. We appreciate China's efficiency, determination and vitality! IOC President Bach's heartfelt praise speaks of the "Beauty and Coexistence" between China and the world. Achieving a vision is never easy. More than 6 years of meticulous preparation and more than 2,000 days and nights of unremitting efforts have made this "ice and snow covenant" finally live up to expectations. Behind the earnest fulfillment of solemn promises to the international community is also the light and heat of volunteers. Just to witness Gu Ailing's record-setting Shougang Ski Jump, 389 Winter Olympic volunteers helped service guarantee work in sports, technology, celebration ceremonies, event services and other fields, and they had already entered the training link as early as last October. From late autumn to spring, time has witnessed the growth of these young people, and they have engraved themselves into the warm memories of the times.

Faster, higher, stronger – more united! When the Olympic fire is ignited in the "Bird's Nest", more people clearly recognize the important value of the community of human destiny. Feelings are big and see subtlety. Recently, American athlete Tessa Maud described to the world audience the excitement and emotion of participating in the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. In the short video, she said she recalled that on the night of the opening ceremony, the volunteers could not help but burst into tears when they shouted "Welcome to China" in English. A greeting, a reminder, a little help... Volunteers greet guests from all over the world with service and convey friendship and wishes with sincerity. The power of one person is small, but the power of a group of people is huge, and when the concept of "dedication, fraternity, mutual assistance, and progress" becomes clear and tangible through one volunteer after another, the values advocated by the Olympic Games have the deepest and longest vitality.

Shimmering light, volunteer service makes the Winter Olympics more exciting. From "One World, One Dream" in 2008 to "Together for the Future" in 2022, China has proved itself as a firm pursuer and activist of the Olympic ideal with actions, and has also allowed countless volunteers to stand on a world-class platform to show their style and value. Recently, the song "Burning Snowflakes" composed for volunteers has become popular, and the lyrics are written like this: "Burning snowflakes, dreams illuminate the sky and the earth, bravely set off..." It is precisely a "small snowflake" that can be built into a "big snowflake". With the illumination of the volunteer light, we will witness this high-level Winter Olympics together. (Editor-in-charge: Tang Hua)