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Kota Kinabalu: As the world reflects on the grandeur of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the stories of those behind the scenes offer a unique glimpse into the event’s success. 

Among these stories is that of Cher Du Hao, a 22-year-old from Kuantan, who spent the last four years studying in France. 

This unique position has allowed him to contribute in ways that reflect both his familiarity with the French setting and his connection to Malaysia and its wider culture.

“The online application process had started a year before the Olympic Games through their official website,” he told Daily Express, adding that a multilingual profile might have strengthened his candidature. 

Once selected, Cher underwent specific training sessions to prepare him for his role. 

“Most of the training session was conducted online on the volunteer’s platform. There was also a one-day on-site training session,” he said.

As part of the protocol team for the boxing events at the North Paris Arena, Cher’s responsibilities involved managing the flow of high-profile guests.

Living an hour from Paris worked it out for him in avoiding rising accommodation costs in the city and allowed him to focus fully on his role.

“We worked in different areas, mainly the venue’s VIP entrance, the corridor’s access control, the Olympic family lounge and the Olympic family stand.

“Each volunteer was assigned to a specific time slot and the duty time was about seven hours. We were mostly working as a group of two or three and we switched to different duty zones every thirty minutes,” he said.

Cher shared that the environment within the North Paris Arena was a world apart from what he had seen on television.

“I enjoy cheering with the spectators from other countries during the game. It was just so intense yet fun,” he said.

One of the most memorable aspects of his time at the Olympics was receiving pins from different delegates as a sign of appreciation.

“Every pin is unique and specially designed and for me, each represents a different story, those remain as my precious memories,” he said.

These tokens of gratitude, exchanged among volunteers and delegates, became symbols of the global connections and friendships formed during the event.

Reflecting on the experience, Cher acknowledged how it had broadened his perspective, both personally and professionally. 

“It was a great opportunity to meet different cultures and languages from all over the world,” he said.

When asked to share some advice to others considering similar opportunities, his answer was thoughtful yet straightforward.    

“It depends on everyone’s needs and values. I agree with the idea that experiences are priceless.

“Don’t hesitate to pick up a foreign language. A multilingual profile can help you stand out among other candidates,” he said, emphasising that language is more than just a tool for communication but a gateway to new opportunities.

As Cher brings his international experience from the campus to the stadium, his experiences encourage young Malaysians to not just make a difference, but also join meaningful connections across borders.