Imagine having been in the stadium when the Canadian men’s 4×100-metre relay team stormed the track to win gold at the Paris Olympic Games. Charles Gascon, a volunteer with the Canadian Olympic Committee, was there, and weeks later, he says, “I still get chills.”
Originally from Saint-Anicet, Gascon has been volunteering with the Jeux du Quebec program since 2011. He was also part of the volunteer contingent that travelled to support Canadian athletes at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. Living the summer Olympic experience was the next logical step. “I love this kind of multisport event, meeting other amateur sport enthusiasts, and experiencing the intensity of the Games,” he explains.
His work involved supporting the COC in the day-to-day operations of Canada Olympic House, which is dedicated primarily to the family and friends of Canadian athletes. He was also part of the outfitting team that assembled official clothing bags for all the athletes, coaches, and members of the Canadian mission. “It is very impressive to see the complexity of the logistics behind the Games,” he says.
“At my first Games, I had performance syndrome. I took on a lot of shifts, which limited my availability to watch the competitions. This time, I had a different strategy,” says Gascon, who prioritized the events he wanted to see while building his volunteer schedule. “I had a much more balanced experience this time between my volunteer involvement and as a spectator,” he explains, noting he saw ten Olympic competitions while donating around 80 hours of his time.
Gascon says that of the many memorable moments from the Games, Quebec weightlifter Maude Charron’s performance stands out. “I was in front of the TV with my sister Lucie in 2021 when Maude won her gold medal in Tokyo, and to be there in the arena to see her win her silver medal is a real highlight,” he shares.
The city of Paris was also very impressive. Gascon notes that while the competition venues looked incredible on TV, they were even more beautiful in person. “The energy in the city was over-the-top, and the atmosphere was truly Olympic,” he says.
“Throughout the city, parks were set up to watch the competitions, take part in introductory sports courses with local clubs, and come together,” he recalls. “You could constantly hear Parisians extolling the prowess of French athletes.”
Now back at home, Gascon is already thinking about his next volunteer experience. His next opportunity will be in 2026 when the Milano Cortina Winter Games take place in Italy. “If the stars align, I’d like to be there,” he confirms.