We did it, We did it! J’ai fait les Jeux! (I was in the Games!)

I feel like Dora the Explorer …

I’ve received my official Badge for volunteering at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. ‘Paris2024’ and its Official Partners have awarded the volunteers of the Olympics and Paralympics with a J’ai fait les Jeux (I was in the Games) Open Badge in recognition of their personal contribution to the success of the Games.

The email states that the Badge validates that we ‘used and developed organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills’ and that it vouches for the volunteers’ behaviour and attitude.

The French Government has a service that enables the Open Badge to be used to map personal skills to generate a curriculum vitae – the equivalent of a ‘Skills Passport.’ It is a digital file in which skills and achievements developed informally are recorded, which may assist volunteers who are seeking employment (in France and beyond) to have their skills recognized.

The Open Badge is an international program recognized by the French Ministry of Labour, Health and Solidarity, the Ministry of Sports, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Public Employment Services, and all the organizations that sponsored the Games.

I’m channeling Dora the Explorer, the seven-year-old girl, who embarks on adventures with her friend Boots the monkey. It’s an American children’s animation program that aired from 2000 to 2019. In every episode, Dora and Boots always succeed. So, just as Dora sings when she ends her adventure, I’m singing “We did it! We did it! We did it! Yeah! Hooray! Woo! We did it!” Yes, these are the exact lyrics of Dora’s song. We did it!

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Photographer: Martina Nicolls