Rio de Janeiro - The stars of the Olympics are the athletes but in the weeks leading up to the explosion of noise, there is another flock of superheroes that make this an experience of a lifetime.
The volunteers of each and every Olympics all come with compelling narratives, of arduous travel journeys from every corner of the world, of broken bones that led to shattered dreams of being an Olympian, but of ultimately finding their role as volunteers.
In the frenetic final few days before the Games begin, they are going beyond the call of duty. You spot them from a mile away; green takkies, khaki pants or shorts and Olympic Torch coloured tops. They breathe life into this vast movement of human life and aspirations and they get nothing but a sincere thank you for their troubles.
When we landed at Galeleo Airport, missing luggage and cranky for coffee, Thanaisse, a local girl, ushered us to a help desk, then onto a bus via a cafe. She waved us off and someone picked up the baton when we reached the Olympic Park close to midnight.
Truth be told, we were given a heads-up on the volunteer programme on our flight from Joburg. Next to me on the plane was Adam Chow, a financial consultant from Hong Kong who took the most economic route, via South Africa, to get to Brazil.
“It’s my first time in Brazil but this is better than going on holiday. I have always wanted to be part of the Olympics,” he explained in between sips of gin and dry lemon. I had suggested it as a mosquito repellent and he had taken it on with a bit of trepidation.
“I love tennis but was never at the level needed to play professionally. All I wanted to see was Roger Federer,” he sighed, capturing his disappointment that the Swiss Master is missing Rio through injury and not the convenience the Zika virus has created for other sport stars.
“It’s a great shame because he's my hero and I would have loved to even try and take a picture with him.”
Athletes are hugely appreciative of Adam and his like. They know how much they sacrifice and it’s common for a used top or cap to be passed on as a souvenir.
Adam, like every other volunteer, has had to pay his own way to be here. He will slum it in a hostel near Copacabana for two weeks and will love every second of it.
“My parents and friends don’t understand; they might never understand. To be part of this is a dream come true. I took annual leave to be here and have to be at work the day after I come back.”
It’s an immense passion that drives one to save for years, take time off and still smile and serve every day for the craziest month on the sporting calendar, but the Olympic fire burns deep in the thousands who do so, proud in the knowledge they are making this experience all the more memorable for so many others.
Adam made me promise to meet him on Copacabana after the closing ceremony for a gin or perhaps a beverage of his own choice. I sincerely plan to, and we will toast merrily and wearily.
The Star