Benoît Morel, a physiotherapist and resident of Chaillois for 30 years, is getting ready to pack his bags to go to the Olympic Games in Paris, as a volunteer driver from July 20 to August 11, 2024.
“My love for the Olympics dates back to my childhood”
Benoît Morel recalls his very distant interest in the Olympic Games: “My love for the Olympics dates back to my childhood, I loved discovering sports that I watch every four years, my television is tuned 24/7 to the events.” He associates his interest in this sporting event with the notion of commitment that he acquired within his family, with parents very involved in community life.
He quickly became involved as a coach and then a volunteer educator within the football club, ASCC 99, in 2010 as soon as his son put on his first cleats. Benoît Morel has become over the years a very active member of the club, participating in the creation of the job description for the technical manager and tirelessly promoting women’s football for several years. Married and father of three children, his commitment to the parents’ association, the municipal council but also in the organization of numerous local events is known to all.
Benoît Morel recalls the journey that leads him to an upcoming participation in the Olympic Games as a volunteer: “In May 2023, I responded to a questionnaire from the Olympic organization to recruit volunteers, and I was then selected among the 45,000 volunteers selected. I then responded to a questionnaire that made it possible to establish a capacity profile with dedicated missions. Finally, I was selected to transport the Games’ stakeholders such as journalists or delegation members.”
The carbon footprint in question
He participated in a training on May 3, 2024, within a group of 150 people, also selected for transportation. He describes this step: “We spent the day at the Auteuil racecourse site, where 2,300 vehicles equipped to reduce carbon emissions will be stationed.” The ecological issue is at the heart of his future activity as a driver, which will evaluate the individual performance of each driver in terms of eco-driving.
The time of departure for the Olympic Games is approaching, Benoît Morel will go to Paris to pick up his clothing pack on July 13. He is looking forward with delight to this next adventure at the heart of the Olympic Games: “I am happy to experience strong emotions within this world event. I appreciate the notion of respect between all athletes regardless of their skin color, religion and performance.”
