THE PRICELESS VOLUNTEERS
Photo: Leonie Richarz
Author: Jamil Dost
In Norway, we wouldn't have sports without volunteers. Countless enthusiasts put in tireless efforts every day to keep the wheels going round. It's hard to imagine Norwegian sports without the culture of volunteering.
The Hamar 2024 FISU World University Championship Speed Skating is another event where volunteers have been crucial - both in the preparations and during the championship itself. Approximately 50 volunteers work throughout the event, covering various shifts throughout the week. They assist with everything from timekeeping and picking up athletes at the train station to publishing content on social media and communicating with workers at “Vikingskipet”.
The responsibility for it all lies with Sigurd Roestad, the head of volunteers. He is very clear in stating how important the efforts of the volunteers are.
“The effort the volunteers put in is invaluable. Without them, we simply wouldn’t have been able to organize the event at all!”
He adds that no task is too big or too small; the volunteers assist on multiple fronts. Helene Børrestuen is among those working in media and communications and enjoys her volunteer tasks.
“I find it very enjoyable to be a volunteer! It’s very relevant to what I want to work with later in life. Besides that, I gain many good acquaintances and experiences that I can carry forward.”
We also use the interview to discuss why she chose to volunteer. After a little thought, she lists two reasons. Firstly, she acknowledges that she enjoys such events. Secondly, she knows several of the other volunteers, making the choice easy: she also wanted to contribute as a volunteer.
Sigurd is on the same wavelength as Helene regarding why people choose to volunteer.
“I think many want to volunteer because it provides added value that can’t be replaced in any other way. The feeling of creating something and building ownership together because you enjoy the work you put in is quite invaluable”
He concludes by noting that it seems like many work as a team, and it's often friends of friends and family members who come together for the common goal. We can therefore conclude that the efforts of volunteers are of extremely important value - both for this championship and for the rest of Norwegian sports.
We want to thank all the volunteers participating in making a great sporting event!
