Peking University, February 8, 2022: Zhang Yuxuan, an undergraduate from Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is an Olympic Family Assistant (OFA) volunteer undertaking the role of assistant to Mrs Laura Chinchilla, International Olympic Committee member and former President of Costa Rica.

(OFA: Olympic Family Assistant, whose main role is to provide important political figures and International Olympics Committee high-ranked officials from all over the world with one-to-one schedule planning, translation and travel services)


A wondrous experience

On the night of February 6, I accompanied Mrs Chinchilla to the first award presentation ceremony held at Beijing Award Plaza, held for Women’s 3000m Speed Skating. After Mrs Chinchilla finished presenting the award, we received news that the next award presentation would be for the Chinese team who had just won Gold in the Short-Track Speed Skating Mixed Team Relay. Mrs Chinchilla said to me, “You should come witness China’s championship, witness this glorious moment.” She invited me to the Olympic Family spectating area where we waited to watch the award ceremony.


As the radio announced “Raise the flag of the People’s Republic of China, play the anthem of the People’s Republic of China”, the stadium was sombre. As I watched the flag rise, my heart was filled with indescribable pride and joy. The five-star red flag carries the patriotic sentiments of 1.4 billion Chinese citizens. The common patriotic conviction shared by our nation surely touched the hearts of everyone present.

As the Olympic athletes from the China Team ascended the stage, Chinese audiences present waved China’s flag and cheered fervently, forming a passionate sea of red.

For being able to witness the award ceremony of China’s first gold medal, I’m proud to be a Chinese volunteer!



As a fan of speed skating, I am well aware of the significance of this first gold medal. I shared with Ms Chinchilla about how Fan Kexin preserved for 12 years before achieving her dreams of becoming an Olympic Gold Medallist, and about how Wu Dajing, despite the accolades he received at the Pyeongchang Olympics, started from square one and overcame many setbacks before setting foot on the award stage today. Ms Chinchilla acknowledged what I’d said, sharing that she had watched the relay of this competition on television, saw how the athletes were in tears during their interview, and thus could relate to my excitement and pride.


As a volunteer, I was even more fortunate to have seen the stories behind the important awards ceremony.

Just to ensure the award presenters can be in position, the teacher in charge of this ceremony and I started coordinating the event timeline three days before the event itself. I had to familiarize myself with the locations of the air conditioning and the temperature of every place we would be passing by in advance, and remind the guests to bulk up when it was cold. The chauffeur had to master the complicated routes. Volunteers in charge of announcements were practising their scripts up till the moment the guests arrived. The walkie talkie used to coordinate the set never stopped buzzing.  

The charm of the Winter Olympics has never been just the competition. Instead, it can further spark the passion and commitment of everyone involved, inspiring them to devote their all to the event’s success. For the athletes, the Games is their chance to present the beauty of the sports. For the audiences, celebrating the athletes’ hard work and achievements is their way of showing respect for sports. And for us volunteers, the best reward from the Olympics is probably enjoying the fruits of our labor.


Volunteer Journal

This year’s Chinese New Year is my first out of my hometown. As the youngest and the least experienced group in the “closed loop”, the Programs team and teachers tried their best to keep us entertained: The local staff organized a Five School Excursion, the Programs Team held a cultural performance, and schools organized streamed the Spring Festival Gala live. Although we missed reuniting with our families, the sense of community and belonging created here brightened up our New Year.

I can’t help but think that the roads back home are never smooth. There are only many people who work silently behind the scenes to ensure that those yearning to return can reunite with their families. Similarly, no sporting event comes easy. It is the hard work of every Chinese citizen that has helped us realize our Olympic dream.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the teachers and staff who sent us their best wishes for the New Year. We sincerely wish you all a most blessed and prosperous New Year!



Written by: Shi Xinyao
Edited by: Li Wanqi
Source: Peking University Health Science Center (Official Wechat)