France: 10 days to Paris 2024 Olympics

  • 3 months ago

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Transcript
00:00One of France's most emblematic tourist attractions transformed into an Olympic venue.
00:07You can see the stands over there, it's quite exceptional.
00:11Right by the Château de Versailles' Grand Canal, the world's best horsemen and women will face off on the equestrian events
00:17and Marc Swinepoel will be right in the thick of it as a volunteer for the medal ceremonies.
00:23I'm going to have to put a lot of things behind me, all the cameras, the pressure. It's the mission of a lifetime.
00:30The ceremonies are meticulously planned in this studio in the suburbs of Paris.
00:35So, bronze, gold, silver.
00:38The selected volunteers, none of whom are paid, rehearse every little action.
00:43They told us the choreography has to be perfect. We have to be in the right place at the right time.
00:49And for me, it's a transition because I'm retiring in two weeks and I'm embarking on something fabulous.
00:55Whatever the volunteers' backgrounds or age, it's bound to be emotional.
01:00Being part of an event like this, it's incredible.
01:04Is it a dream come true?
01:06Oh yes.
01:08In all, 45,000 volunteers have been recruited to help at the Games.
01:13We're going to have iconic side-sporting performances to remember
01:17and an atmosphere that the volunteers are going to really contribute to.
01:22They're kitted out in the colours of the Games, headgear included.
01:26It makes the clothes a bit more fun.
01:30From a language point of view, everything's ready.
01:33Do you like your uniform?
01:35In Evreux, in Normandy, the final English lessons for volunteers like Claire Michardier,
01:40who will greet spectators at the Parc de France.
01:43Speaking English helps me a lot.
01:45It gives me the confidence to deal with people and answer their questions.
01:49Alicia Ardain will be stationed on a bridge in Paris at the start and finish of the triathlon.
01:54I wanted to be at the heart of the event.
01:57And then to be close to the athletes is the holy grail, isn't it?
02:00And there's just a few days left for a revision before the Games begin.

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