The Carrickfergus woman living her Olympic dream

Karolyn Gaston says she's "super excited" for her latest volunteering experience

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will officially get underway on Friday when thousands of athletes make their way along the River Seine for the opening ceremony.

But, for one Northern Ireland participant, her Olympic dream has already begun.

Karolyn Gaston, from County Antrim, has travelled to Paris for her third Olympic Games as a volunteer.

The Carrickfergus woman is one of 45,000 volunteers selected to support the iconic sporting event.

Ms Gaston previously volunteered at London 2012 and Rio 2016.

Requirements included being able to speak English or French, being available for at least 10 days and being over 18 on 1 January 2024.

The application process closed in May 2023.

She will be taking on the role of team leader which brings added responsibility

“It’s so exciting." Ms Gaston told BBC News NI.

“I love seeing the athletes achieve their goals and winning their medals. It’s just a very special thing to be a part of. And, three times being involved in an Olympic Games, you can't achieve bigger than that,” she added.

The Carrickfergus woman will be based at the Stade de France during the rugby sevens and athletics events.

She will be taking on the role of team leader which brings added responsibility.

“I have never done this role before at this level and I've never stepped up to be team leader before but I thought, no, go for it, this is your third time, you need to step up," she added.

‘From London 2012, it changed my life’

Karolyn Gaston was one of 70,000 "Games Makers" at London 2012

Ms Gaston’s Olympic volunteering journey began at the London Olympics in 2012.

The opportunity came about after she completed a course with Volunteer Now, and at a challenging time personally.

The games helped Karolyn discover the true meaning of volunteering and gave her a new confidence: “From London 2012, it changed my life… London 2012 lit my Olympic flame and it hasn't dimmed whatsoever,” she added.

Despite having volunteer experience at two Olympics and numerous other sporting events the youth development lead missed out on selection for Tokyo 2020.

‘Counting the cost’

“It's my holiday for this year and probably the next three years until LA 2028.”

Ms Gaston admits volunteering at the Olympic games can be expensive but views it as a social investment.

She expects Paris 2024 to cost between £5,000 to £6,000.

Her “parkrun family” have held fundraisers to help with the cost.

Karolyn's Jordanstown 'Junior Parkrun family' had a special send off on Sunday

How important are volunteers?

The Paris 2024 website says volunteers are “the face, soul, heart and smile of our Games” with the mission of making sure everyone has an exceptional time.

“We're involved in all sorts of roles from on the field of play to anti-doping to, event services, getting people, spectator services get people to their seats, wayfinding, train stations, car parks, there's 45,000 of us doing 45,000 jobs," said Karolyn.

“You’re giving quite a lot of responsibility. I really was shocked at London 2012 at how much responsibility you actually have”, she said.

A highlight for Ms Gaston was seeing Usain Bolt fist-bumping with volunteers.

“You get a lot of younger ones that are maybe too excited and want selfies. But when the athletes are in their mode of training and getting prepped you've got to respect that."

Karolyn celebrating with Team GB's Dame Laura Kenny in Rio

‘My personal goal was three’

Having reached her “personal goal” of three Olympic Games Karolyn is already looking to the future.

“If I don’t get selected I’m going anyway, with my best friend.

“We are both going to apply. She’ll probably get selected and I won’t, but I’ll go out to support anyway”, she said.

How to follow the opening ceremony on the BBC

The opening ceremony will be shown live from 17:45 BST on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will be radio coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds from 19:00.

There will also be live text coverage on the BBC Sport website and app bringing you the best of the event from Paris.

When do the Olympics start?

The opening ceremony to signal the official start of the Paris 2024 Olympics will be held on Friday, 26 July.

But the sporting action has already begun with pool matches in football, rugby sevens, handball and archery.

On Wednesday, Ireland progressed to the quarter-finals of the Olympic Rugby Sevens.

The ambitious opening ceremony will take place along the River Seine instead of in a stadium.