At the Hangzhou Asian Games, athletes won gold and silver on the field and worked hard. Outside the arena, moving stories are also unfolding. There is such a group of people, who are not athletes, but they also received a gold medal of their own on the closing day of the Hangzhou Asian Games.
On October 8, the day of separation approached, and many athletes took a group photo at the entrance of the athletes' village. Among the group photo group was a group of "little green lotus", holding flowers, certificates and gold medals, smiling and posing for a photo with the head of the Bahrain sports delegation.
In the eyes of this group of volunteers, the "gold content" of this gold medal is not less than that of the Asian Games gold medal. According to Zhang Min, assistant leader of the Bahrain Sports Delegation NOC, it is not only a gift from the Bahrain Sports Delegation of the Asian Games, but also a compliment received by the volunteers with smiles and actions.
Everyone took a group photo together
Special gold medals have a special story
From September 10, Bahraini sports delegations arrived in Hangzhou one after another, and on September 18, the "peak of entering the village" was ushered in. Zhang Min and 10 other volunteers began serving 212 members of the Bahraini sports delegation. Busy from early morning to late at night, it becomes the daily routine of this volunteer team.
At the beginning of their work, they encountered quite a few difficulties.
It was late at night when the delegation arrived in Shanghai, and in order not to affect the smooth arrival of the delegation, volunteers contacted all parties to help coordinate traffic issues.
When the delegation arrived successfully, Zhang Min, who had studied in Arabia, spoke in the local voice, which made them feel closer in a foreign country.
For the next eight days, it was not uncommon for delegation members to arrive in the middle of the night, as was the waiting of volunteer teams all night. In addition, they often encounter some emergencies.
"Some athletes forget to bring something and need us to contact the vehicle to deliver it, the delegation sometimes needs a temporary car late at night, and athletes who have not yet completed their registration will suddenly arrive... Volunteer work is often numerous and trivial. Zhang Min told reporters, but they are tired and glorious, "all efforts are only for the athletes to work harder on the field." ”
The Bahraini sports delegation won 20 medals at the Asian Games, including 12 gold medals. This is Bahrain's all-time best result at the Asian Games, which makes them happy.
"From my experience, this is the best Asian Games, and it is inseparable from the help of volunteers." Ahmed Mohamed Abdulghaffar, head of the Bahraini sports delegation at the Asian Games, told reporters, "My team and I are sincerely grateful to them, from setting up the camp to arranging transportation, the volunteers come early every day, sometimes even forgetting to eat." They sacrificed a lot for us. ”
Volunteers receive certificates of appreciation and gold medals
10 certificates of appreciation and gold medals to witness friendship
The silent dedication of volunteers has won widespread praise and respect.
The Bahrain sports delegation saw it in their eyes and remembered it, and they decided to give the volunteer team a special gift - 10 certificates of appreciation and gold medals on the closing day of the Hangzhou Asian Games.
"We want to give each of them a certificate as a memorial so that they can remember us, remember Bahrain, and this certificate and this gold medal prove that we have experienced this Asian Games journey together." Ahmed Mohamed Abdulghaffar explains the meaning of the gift.
In fact, long before they came to Hangzhou, they had already learned that according to international practice, there would be a team of volunteers dedicated to serving them.
Why not prepare a special gift?
"We wanted to do something very unique for them, so why not a custom gold medal with the Asian Games logo and the Bahrain Olympic Committee logo?" Ahmed Mohamed Abdulghaffar said.
All the bespoke gifts were prepared in Bahrain and traveled across the ocean to Hangzhou, "but we bought the flowers in Hangzhou." Ahmed Mohamed Abdulghaffar added with a smile.
Head of Bahrain's sports delegation, Ahmed Mohamed Abdulghaffar
"It was a surprise, it was really hearty." As a parting souvenir, the volunteers also presented small Chinese souvenirs and wrote commemorative greeting cards to the delegation, "which contained a message to the delegation, cheers for the athletes, and a wish for the opportunity to meet again." ”
When the Asian Games get together, they must be separated.
"I'm sad that we're going to say goodbye, we have developed a great friendship with everyone on the volunteer team." On the occasion of parting, Ahmed Mohamed Abdulghaffar was a little emotional.
In the hearts of international friends, "volunteer spirit" is one of the precious assets left by the Hangzhou Asian Games.
After taking the commemorative photo, Zhang Minte spoke a piece of Arabic, which was not only a parting speech, but also looked forward to a better future: "Our dear Bahraini friends, although we have only been together for more than ten days, we will always be friends, and welcome everyone to meet again in China." ”
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Editor-in-chief: Gu Wanquan, Zhang Wu Text editor: Song Yanlin
Source: Author: Chao News