France topped the podium as this year’s volleyball World League reached its conclusion on Sunday (July 19) at the Maracanãzinho in Rio, but it was not only their players who deserved gold medals. The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) competition, which doubled up as a Rio 2016 test event, would not have been possible without the heroic performance of a team of volunteers that helped ensure everything ran smoothly.

“Being a volunteer is an incredible experience, one that everyone should have,” said 21-year-old journalism student Paula Oliveira, one of the 28 volunteers who worked at the Olympic Games venue from last Wednesday up to Sunday. “Volunteers are fundamental to staging events. And, in addition to having contact with great sports stars, it’s an opportunity to see how everything works behind the cameras, and make lots of friends – we became like a family.”

The volunteers played a crucial role in ensuring that the spiritual home of Brazilian volleyball was ready to host the world’s top players. They assisted the team delegations behind the scenes, they acted as ball-boys and ball-girls, they mopped and dried the court during the games.   

“One day I bumped into Bernardinho (Brazil’s coach) and he said: ‘You did a good day’s work today.’ After that, how could I have had a bad day?” said Oliveira.

The volleyball World League was the second Rio 2016 test event, following on from last year’s successful sailing competition on Guanabara Bay. There will be another 43 test events between now and May 2016, with triathlon, rowing and equestrian next up. Click here to see the full calendar.  

The deadline to apply to be a volunteer has passed, but it is still possible to put your name on the waiting list. And if you would like to play a part in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, volunteer applications for these roles are still open.

Journalism student Paula Oliveira got close to the action at the volleyball World League finals (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)