by Sportswriters Dong Yixing and Li Chunyu
PARIS, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- As Hernan Jaramillo proudly displayed his vibrant collection of 50 pins from various countries and organizations at the Paris Olympics, it was clear that his experience as a first-time volunteer has been far from simply offering assistance.
It blossomed into a tapestry of cultural exchange, a celebration of unity, and a dream realized.
When Jaramillo traveled from New York to Paris four weeks ago, he knew little of pin trading, a time-honored tradition that dates back to the early 20th century.
Originally a way for athletes, officials, and volunteers to break the ice and connect across language barriers, it has since grown into a beloved ritual for many participants.
Olympic pins, each a miniature masterpiece depicting the host city's emblem, sports icons, or national flags, are not merely collectibles - they are tokens of shared experiences and friendships forged during the Games.
For 59 year-old Jaramillo, this tradition has already become one of his most cherished memories at the Paris Olympics.
"I didn't know anything about pins before, but you can see I am wearing around 50 pins right now, from Germany, Italy and South Africa. Every time I helped journalists, they gave me a pin. I also gave out about 10 pins," the Colombian shared with a warm smile.
Working in a university research laboratory of science, Jaramillo's journey to Paris was a story of coincidence. Over a year ago, a close friend of him who had previously attended the Pan American Games and the Rio Olympics suggested he apply for the Paris Games volunteer program.
Intrigued by the idea of being part of such a monumental event, Jaramillo filled out the forms and questionnaires. Last September, he received the exciting news that he had been approved and qualified to volunteer.
"I just wanted to give it a try and filled out my information and questionnaire that organizers gave us," Jaramillo explained. "When I got approved, it was really exciting, and I was so happy."
However, the road to Paris is challenging at the very beginning. Since volunteers are responsible for their own accommodation and travel expenses, Jaramillo had to carefully plan his trip, treating it as a long vacation.
"I had to ask my boss to let me come to the Olympics for a month. It was important for me to find a place to stay because they don't pay for housing," he noted.
Despite these hurdles, his enthusiasm never waned.
Jaramillo arrived in Paris on July 13, ready to begin his duties. After picking up his accreditation and uniform the following day, he was assigned to work at the Main Press Center, the bustling hub where thousands of journalists worldwide converge to cover the Games.
His role required patience, kindness, and a willingness to assist stressed-out members of the media - a task Jaramillo took to heart.
"They taught us how to be nice and patient. Always with a smile. Sometimes, people from media stress out and may yell at you. I just try not to take it personally and just answer questions as best as I could," Jaramillo said.
But most of the time, Jramillo said his experience has been overwhelmingly positive. "Actually, everyone is so friendly. It's really great and fun to be a volunteer at the Olympics."
Jaramillo also marveled at the diversity among the volunteers, most conspicuously, their regional disparity. "We have volunteers from Latin America, the United States, Asia. It is interesting culturally," he said.
This diversity was further reflected in the ages of the volunteers, many of whom were in their 50s and 60s, with one of his coworkers even being 74 years old.
Jaramillo appreciated the inclusivity of the Paris Olympics, noting that the organizers selected people of all ages, including young adults, middle-aged individuals, and retirees.
While this wasn't Jaramillo's first time in Paris, this visit was undoubtedly special.
The Olympic venues, many located at or near iconic Parisian landmarks, added to the magic of the experience. "The opening ceremony was unique through the river," he recalled. "I was also assigned to the equestrian venue and met a rider from Colombia, my home country."
For Jaramillo, the opportunity to contribute to the Olympics and witness the event firsthand was a dream fulfilled.
His collection of pins embodies not just the Games, but the friendships, stories, and memories he has gathered along the way.
"The most important thing is to be able to contribute to and see the Olympics. Everything here is really nice, and everybody is in a good mood around."
As Jaramillo's time at the Paris Olympics comes to an end, but does not his Olympic volunteer work -- Paris is just the beginning.
"At the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, I will be there definitely," he said. As an avid football fan, he has also applied to volunteer or even work at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Reflecting on his first Olympic volunteer experience, Jaramillo is filled with gratitude and joy. "It is a remarkable experience, meeting people with different cultures. I would say, I love the Olympics," said Jaramillo as he pins another emblem to his growing collection.