THE nation’s athletes are looking to make their mark at the Paris Olympics to cement their names in the history books, but young Jamaican Akiiwah Green is already making an impact in France through her work off the track.

The 23-year-old is the only Jamaican volunteer at the summer Games in the French capital and is primarily working at the International Broadcast Centre, where the television and radio feeds of the Games is transmitted. She will also be a volunteer for the Paralympics, set for August 28 to September 8.

It could almost be viewed as destiny as Green applied to be a volunteer in 2021 when she was an English assistant teacher in Paris.

Her long-standing dream was to volunteer at the Olympic Games but due to the rarity of a Jamaican doing so, she had to overcome significant hurdles.

“I had a lot of problems with the embassy to get the Schengen visa because there was no one else volunteering [from Jamaica] so when I went to them with my reason for travelling to France to volunteer, they were like ‘we don’t have enough proof, you’re showing us all the e-mails, all the documents, but we need more’,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

“Then they sent me to find out from other persons from other countries who would need a visa to see what they did, but I reached out to the French embassy to where that was concerned and that went well,” added Green, a communication studies major at the Northern Caribbean University.

“In my free time, I take advantage of the broadcast centre, see how they do certain things, interact with the journalists and persons in production. The other day I got to see some of the control rooms and how they work and operate with how hectic it is. They’re in charge of the broadcast for the Olympics, so just to see how all of this works is really exciting for me. As a student about to leave university, it’s really good for me to be placed here,” said Green.

Jamaica’s lone volunteer at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Akiiwah Green, shows her excitement being at the venue for gymnastics.

She also assists at the venue for gymnastics and her Jamaican spirit of generosity kicked in to help an athlete in need.

“A few days ago there was an Indonesian gymnast who had an injury and her coaches didn’t want her to walk and they had no way to get around, so I stopped a random private taxi and I just bombarded the car and told them she needs help and was able to give them some assistance and they were very emotional about that,” said Green.

“Even meeting other people and doing the bare minimum, it might be small, but I know it impacted them in a small way and aided them to do their part in the Games whether a working or performing point of view,” added Green.

She has no agreement with the Ministry of Tourism, but Green has been an unofficial ambassador for the island as she promotes the culture as much as possible.

“Just saying that I’m a Jamaican is a conversation starter because of the impact Jamaica has had on the Olympic Games and how impressive they’ve been over the years, so each time I mention to someone I’m Jamaica, it’s amazing for them,” she said.

“Representation is amazing, not just on the track but also behind the scenes. Every chance I get, I talk about my country and people have a lot of questions, they have stereotypes, they want to find out if this or that is true, so it’s a good opportunity to get it out there and that Jamaicans are here, Jamaicans can help, Jamaicans aren’t just the stereotypes.”

While she’s thoroughly enjoying the moment, Green sees this experience as a significant step toward shaping her future.

“I think I have so much in the palms of my hands right now just being placed at the International Broadcast Centre. I’m able to go into control rooms, learn about equipment that I’ve never even seen in my life. Just to see how all the strings are pulled behind the scenes on such a big production is one of the most amazing things to witness so that has opened my mind to more possibilities, to doing more and being better in the field,” Green said.

“Professionally I have a lot of goals, I’m getting contacts, I’m meeting people, I’m interacting with the big names, I’m seeing how everything works, so professionally and personally, I’m more open-minded and appreciate everyone’s culture and for who they are and it’s just a whirlwind of things that’s pushing me and propelling me forward,” she added.

Green is also optimistic that come the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, more Jamaicans will choose to volunteer after seeing her set the example.

“I hope that maybe one or two other Jamaicans will see that it’s possible to volunteer and go out there and get the experience and represent Jamaica. Even though you might not be running, but just to be there in another way to help the entire Olympic Games be successful because we’re an important part of this experience, and so that in and of itself is my way of promoting Jamaica, promoting the culture,” she said.

“One of the goals I have is to expose the possibilities of volunteering and encouraging other Jamaicans to volunteer. It doesn’t have to be the Olympic level, maybe the Carifta Games, maybe Champs [the ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Championships], just anything. It doesn’t even have to be sports, it can be in the medical field or any field possible. Just go out there, give a helping hand because you don’t know who you can impact or what change you can make,” said Green.