As the 2024 Paris Olympics draws closer in July, 27 Chinese volunteers were selected among students from 14 French Alliance partner universities in China for the sports event after two rounds of selection, including an interview and assessment of their ability in event organization,
Two of them are Chen Penghan and Liu Jinyu, students at Beijing Language and Culture University. They were selected first and foremost because of their enthusiasm and passion.
"Because I majored in translation, I want to give all of my strengths and my language ability. In addition, I am also a veteran sports fan, often playing badminton, basketball and table tennis. I am very passionate about sports and I want to put my effort and enthusiasm into it, to make contributions to the Olympic Games," said Chen.
The Olympics have always been inextricably linked with youth and the two volunteers from Beijing have their own understanding of the Olympics.
"Regarding the Games, I would like to quote Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympic Games: 'The most important thing in the Olympics is not to win, but to take part'. We will work with volunteers from all over the world, young and old, to come together and contribute to the Olympics, which I think is a very meaningful thing," said Chen.
"In particular, I note that the 2024 Paris Olympics will be the most equal in terms of gender, as it will be the first time in history that the number of female athletes will reach 50 percent. For me, or for all of us, this is a very, very inspiring thing," added Liu Jinyu, another Paris Olympics volunteer.
The Paris Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from July 26 to Aug. 11, with the Paralympic Games from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee revealed they have received over 300,000 volunteer applications and recruited 45,000 helpers to serve for the Games.
2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France. The Paris 2024 Volunteers program showcases the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in the fields of sports and education.
Twenty-seven Chinese volunteers selected for Paris 2024 Games
The restricted rescue capacity of the local civil defense department due to the war has compelled local residents to rescue their loved ones trapped beneath the debris with their bare hands in Zeitoun Neighborhood in the south of Gaza City.
Israeli military operations in Gaza led to widespread destruction of buildings and a significant rise in civilian casualties.
In Zeitoun, no intact buildings remain in sight. Amidst the wreckage, survivors painstakingly comb through ruined buildings and debris, desperately searching for their lost homes and families.
The continuous bombs from the Israeli army impeded the evacuation of local people.
"We couldn't contact my child's family or his neighbors at all. After the situation calmed down, we came here and tried to rescue them from the ruins, but we couldn't make it. Today, we brought some simple tools, but only one child was rescued. We couldn't save the rest because the situation here is too difficult," said a local resident.
Israeli army's prolonged military operations weakened Gaza's civil defense, resulting in restricted capabilities. A total of 69 rescue workers died in Israeli attacks by far.
The lack of fuel recently further hampers civil defense and rescue efforts.
"Due to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, there is currently an obvious shortage of civil defense personnel. The biggest problem we face is the lack of equipment, which prevents us from rescuing missing people under the ruins. The Israeli army usually bombs the roofs of buildings (leading to building collapse), which requires professional large machines and equipment such as trucks and excavators," said Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the Civil Defense Service in the Gaza Strip.
With no other option, some survivors had to save their family members and friends by their own hands.
"Young people volunteer for rescue, using the simplest tools such as hoes, axes and pliers. We can at least lift out the bodies, including women and children, so that their families can identify and bury them," said another local resident.
People in Gaza exhaust efforts in rescuing family members in Israel-ruined buildings
People in Gaza exhaust efforts in rescuing family members in Israel-ruined buildings
