From the roar of the table tennis crowd to the all-round Olympic camaraderie, Paris 24 provided volunteers Howard Brialey and Debbie Oram with a stock of golden memories – and Howard even ended up as a media star!

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Howard was call room manager at the table tennis venue, supervising players and officials before they entered the field of play, while Debbie (pictured above) was the sport & admin team leader.

Having both worked at the London 2012 Games, they agree that Paris pushed it close for atmosphere.

“I’ve never been in an arena where the atmosphere was just incredible – the noise was deafening, said Howard, “particularly when France were playing. But even on the final day when the Chinese fans ‘took over’, it was great.

“When they were banging their feet in the bleachers and you were underneath the stands, it was like an express train going past and you couldn’t have a conversation until it had stopped.

“I actually felt French for a while because you really wanted them to win!”

Debbie agreed, saying: “In one word, it was incredible. I think I’ll never be able to say an event was better than London, but Paris was close.

“The spectators, the atmosphere, the Olympic support of everyone being there for one reason, was amazing.

“Just seeing the support for table tennis and people loving the sport and making lots of noise was incredible – it was so loud.

“There was great camaraderie and support for each other between the athletes as well. I’ve not seen that before and I wonder if it’s because it’s the first ‘proper’ Olympics for eight years because Tokyo was the ‘Covid Games’.”

Howard said his role had been made easier by having a great volunteer team working with him – though at one stage he had worried he might not be able to get into the venue at all, as a worldwide computer issue a couple of days before the Games had impacted him. He even ended up on BBC 5Live as a result.

“They asked people to text in if they were affected,” he said. “I couldn’t get my accreditation, which meant I couldn’t get my uniform or get into the venue, so I thought that was a bit different and I texted in from the queue.

“I thought they would just read out my text, but they called me back and I ended up on Claire McDonnell’s show – and then about a week or so later they rang me up again and asked me to go on Nicky Campbell’s show to talk about the Games.

“They said they might call be during the Paralympics as well, so I seem to be becoming a bit of a media star!”

For both, the experience is one they would encourage others to have, by applying to volunteer at events. Both are aiming to be part of the volunteer team at the World Team Championships in London in 2026.

Howard said: “To meet all the athletes, coaches and umpires and to be as close as you can be to them, and to the action, is amazing. It’s that and all the friendships you make.”

Debbie added: “If anyone’s interested, just do it – it’s an amazing opportunity to be a part of sport.

“A lot of sport wouldn’t happen without volunteers, and the Olympics proved that. Even if you don’t love the sport itself, it’s good to meet a lot of people and get some privileged roles to play – and the UK always puts on a good event. So, yes, just apply.”