Unforgettable Volunteer Experience at the Paralympic Games

Sep 5, 2008

Heroes are born at the Olympics but heroes come to the Paralympics. Andrew Greenlaw first heard this maxim at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games and it has stuck with him since.

Greenlaw, the Torch Relay Marketing Manager for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), has learned a great deal from his Paralympic Games experience, and his respect towards the athletes became stronger.

“I gained a better appreciation for the athletic ability of the Paralympic athletes and the excellence they personify in so many facets of their life,” said Greenlaw. “Many [Paralympic] athletes have overcome significant barriers in their life and refuse to use them as an excuse.”

 Greenlaw is involved with the Paralympic milieu both professionally and as a volunteer working with Paralympics Ontario and the Canadian Paralympic Committee. He presently serves on the board of the British Columbia Wheelchair Basketball Association and volunteered on the Organizing Committee for the 2007 National (Canadian) Wheelchair Basketball Championships. Through his involvement, Greenlaw has made friends among the athletes and took the opportunity to accompany the Canadian team to the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games where he was a member of the operations team responsible for tracking and communicating the scheduling and results for the Canadian Paralympic Team.

“I couldn’t pass up the occasion to see the athletes, who I saw training tirelessly, compete on the world stage and to play a small role in their Paralympic Games experience,” he said.

Emotions to memories

Two Canadian medalists in the 800 metres athletics event: Jessica Matassa (right) and Chantal Peticlerc (middle).

Walking into the stadium with the Canadian team at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies in Athens was an incredible moment for Greenlaw: “It would be impossible for me to articulate in words the emotions that overcame me as we walked into the stadium with 50,000 people cheering, the Canadian flag leading the way, and infectious smiles surrounding me.”

Greenlaw will also not forget the bronze medal won by his friend, Jessica Matassa in the 800 metres event in athletics. She was the youngest female athlete on the team that year. Another memorable moment for Greenlaw came when Jason Dunkerley, an athlete with a visual impairment, won silver in the 1,500 metres. Greenlaw learned shortly after the race that Dunkerley’s guide runner, Greg, was an outstanding runner who had given up his personal Olympic aspirations so Dunkerley could fulfill his at the Paralympic Games.

Mixed in with the highs of watching the athletes’ triumphs, there were the occasional challenging times that required quick problem solving and teamwork. For instance, there were often challenges with the elevators at the athlete’s village.

“One day, while walking through the village, I heard someone shouting my name in distress from the top floor,” said Greelaw. “I turned to discover one of the Canadian wheelchair basketball athletes waving at me from the balcony because the elevator was not working and he was going to be late for practice. I knew that time was not a luxury so I carried the athlete and his wheelchair in two trips down the stairs”, he explained. “I like to think this was a key factor for the Canadian wheelchair basketball team in winning the gold medal,” he added with a smile.

Support and education

Canadian Flag Bearer, Chantal Benoît, prior to the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony in Athens.
Even though the Paralympic Games are less viewed than the Olympic Games, the Paralympic Movement continues to garner increased awareness and the athletes continue to raise the bar in athletic excellence. This increased popularity for the Paralympic Games in recent years is welcome, but there is still a need to raise awareness and to educate.

“Paralympic athletes train as hard as Olympic athletes,” said Greenlaw. “Canada’s Paralympic athletes need increased support from both corporate Canada and the media. This support and awareness needs to be extended beyond the period of the Games.”

VANOC has ensured that the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games are held to an equal standard and receive the same degree of attention.

Greenlaw won’t be able to repeat his Athens experience in Beijing but said he would like to do so again at another Paralympic Games: “It increased my passion for amateur sport and my appreciation for what it takes to compete at that level, whether it’s as an Olympian or Paralympian,” concluded Greenlaw.