By V.E.K.Madhushani, Jadetimes News
"A Behind the Wheel Look at the Highs and Lows of Driving for the World's Greatest Athletes"
Taxi drivers often hope for five star reviews, but for Olympic chauffeur Elisabeth Lomholdt, her wish is to transport real life stars. This summer, the volunteer driver from Denmark has been navigating the streets of Paris, zig zagging between venues as part of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Although she hasn't yet chauffeured a medallist, Elisabeth has been ferrying officials to and from the Games and has enjoyed plenty of intriguing conversations along the way. "The longer the ride, the better," says the 25 year old, speaking to BBC Newsbeat. "I feel so inspired after hearing people's stories."
Hailing from Copenhagen, Elisabeth is curious about the sports cultures of different nations. "Every time I have passengers, I ask them what the biggest sports are in their country," she shares. "In Denmark, it's mostly soccer and handball, but in other countries, those aren't the main sports."
Living in Paris for five weeks now, Elisabeth admits that driving in the French capital is no easy task. "When I first arrived, people told me I was crazy for wanting to drive here," she recalls. The city's traffic, particularly its aggressive motorcyclists and lack of lane discipline, has been a challenge. "In Paris, motorcycles just beep and weave between cars. Back home, we have roundabouts with lanes, but here, you just have to adapt."
Despite the challenges, Elisabeth considers her volunteer role a unique and enriching experience. A passionate sports fan, she was drawn to the opportunity to see behind the scenes of such a monumental event when she first applied over a year and a half ago. "It's not just what you see on TV," she explains. "It's all the behind the scenes work how everything is structured. I find that really fascinating."
Elisabeth is one of 45,000 volunteers chosen from over 300,000 applicants to support the Paris Olympics. "It's inspiring to see how essential our help is to the Olympics," she says. "The Games wouldn't be the same without volunteers."
The Paris 2024 Games have been hailed as the most sustainable Olympics yet, with initiatives like cardboard beds for athletes and vegan options in the canteens making headlines on TikTok. The city also invested in accessible public transport and 400km (250 miles) of new bike lanes. Elisabeth's vehicle is part of an electric fleet, a testament to the Games' commitment to sustainability.
As the Olympics draw to a close, Elisabeth reflects on her time as a volunteer, hoping that more people will be inspired to give their time. "I know we don't get paid, but it gives you so much more than money," she says. "It gives you new perspectives on life."
With the closing ceremony approaching, Elisabeth still hopes for a chance to drive her dream passengers. "It would be fun to pick up some of the Danish athletes," she says with a smile. "But I might be a little biased."
