From March 21 to 23, the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25 took place at the “Nanjing’s Cube”, bringing together top track and field athletes from around the world for an exhilarating competition of speed and power. Beyond the spotlight, 838 volunteers, known as “Little Lime”, played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the event. From athlete reception to venue management, from logistical support to heartfelt interactions, these young volunteers embodied the spirit of dedication, friendship, mutual assistance, and progress through their actions.
Commitment to Excellence - Professional Services Ensure Smooth Operations
On the evening of March 22, near the men’s 60m hurdles competition area, volunteer LI Guoshang and his teammates were busy setting up hurdles.
”Each hurdle weighs more than 10 kilograms, and we have to set them up in under two minutes,” LI explained. Precision is critical. Any misalignment could impact the athletes’ performances. To ensure accuracy, LI and his team practiced countless times every day, even reviewing video footage to refine their technique. Interestingly, LI himself is a sports training major at Nanjing Sport Institute.
”Transitioning from an athlete to a volunteer is quite an experience. Though we play a supporting role, seeing the athletes complete their events successfully makes us happy. It’s a form of recognition for our work.”
A total of 84 volunteers from Nanjing Sport Institute joined the event, contributing to its success. To further enhance their professionalism, the organizing committee arranged a four-phase training program, including online security training, general knowledge sessions, venue training, and hands-on role-specific practice.
A Simple “Cheer Up!” - Thoughtful Support Makes Athletes Feel at Home
Volunteer ZHAN Jingxi carried a notebook filled with cheers in different languages, including French, German, and Greek. “Whenever a foreign athlete is competing, I try to shout ‘cheer up’ in their native language after the announcement,” she said with a smile. Many pronunciations were learned through translation apps and repeated practice. “But when I see their surprised and happy reactions, I feel a great sense of achievement.”
These heartwarming moments were common throughout the event. On March 21, an Angolan athlete lost her necklace during warm-ups. Thanks to the efforts of volunteers SHEN Xin and ZHAN Jingxi, as well as the support of fellow athletes, the necklace was successfully returned. That same morning, the Sri Lankan team nearly missed their event due to a missing bib number. Volunteer WANG Ying, fluent in English, quickly contacted the relevant departments and expedited the emergency reissue, ensuring the athletes could compete on time.
Widespread Praise - Youthful Dedication Reflects the Spirit of the “City of Love”
“I’m a third-year student preparing for my graduate exams, but this volunteering experience was something I couldn’t miss,” said ZHAN Jingxi, who had previously volunteered at the Nanjing Marathon and other local events. “Being a volunteer at an international competition has always been my dream.”
On March 22, World Athletics Operations Coordinator Daniela Bratoveanu visited the “Volunteer Home” and was touched by the dedication of the volunteers. She even picked up a Chinese calligraphy brush and carefully wrote: “LOVE WIC NANJING VOLUNTEERS!” She also added four heart symbols and wrote “XIE XIE” (thank you) in Chinese pinyin. “The quality of every volunteer’s work is outstanding, so I wrote this to express my love for all of them.” she said. To her, Nanjing is a city rich in culture, but what makes it truly special is its people. Their warmth and hospitality are simply amazing! She even expressed her love for the city in Chinese: “I love Nanjing!”
These words of praise were heard throughout the event:
“The External Relations team wants to commend volunteers CHEN Xinyu, QIAN Xiaoyu, SONG Zihan, and HOU Yushan from Southeast University. They worked alongside translators to double-check all venue signage. They are meticulous and professional!”
“Shoutout to the Registration & Check-In team - three young women who seamlessly switched between Chinese and English, worked carefully, and collaborated perfectly!”
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These words of encouragement were not just recognition but also motivation to the “Little Lime” volunteers. As WANG Ying put it: “When an athlete gave me a thumbs-up before running onto the track, the sense of accomplishment was beyond words.”
The event will end, but the spirit of volunteerism lives on. As the competition results are recorded in history, the stories of the “Little Lime” will continue in Nanjing. They provided professional service, warm hospitality, and youthful enthusiasm, showcasing the dedication of young Chinese volunteers to the world.
This spring, Nanjing shone brightly because of the championships. But it felt even warmer because of the “Little Lime”.
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