Asad Mujeeb, a Pakistani doctoral student in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Tsinghua, served as a volunteer at the Beijing Wukesong Arena (Ice Hockey Stadium) during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

In this Q&A, he shares his motivation to take part in the Winter Games, what it was like to experience Beijing 2022 as an international volunteer, what the Olympic experience means to him, and more.

What was your reaction when you were told you had been selected as a volunteer for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics?

I vividly recall the day I watched the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games on television. I was a high school student at the time, and when I look back on that day, I feel amazed. 

When I learned that our university was hiring volunteers for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, I submitted my application right away, and luckily, I got selected too. I was extremely pleased and thrilled to know that I would to be one of the volunteers for the Beijing Winter Olympics.

What motivated you to become a Beijing 2022 volunteer?

To begin with, I have been involved in various volunteering activities over the years. During the outbreak of Covid-19 in late 2019 and early 2020, I was part of several volunteering initiatives of the international students’ office at Tsinghua, helping international students. Volunteering and serving humanity are my passion.

Secondly, I've been living and studying in Beijing for the last four years. As a foreigner, I believe China has done a great deal for me throughout this period. I have been provided with every resource needed to obtain a high-quality education and meet my everyday needs. I've always felt that if given the opportunity, I'd like to contribute something back to China. The Winter Olympics were a chance and a perfect opportunity for me to do that. I am extremely grateful to Tsinghua University, the Department of Electrical Engineering, and my research advisor for providing me with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve and participate in the Winter Olympics.

Thirdly, I am a Pakistani citizen. My country and China share a strong bond and are regarded as faithful friends. It was another strong reason for me to serve as an Olympic volunteer for the Games and play the role of a cultural ambassador to bring our countries even closer.

What was the Beijing 2022 volunteer training like?

We had our training from January 14 to January 30. During the training, we had to attend a series of lectures and seminars on a wide range of topics related to winter sports. 

They were delivered by highly-qualified trainers and experts from both the Beijing Winter Games Organizing Committee and our university. We were also trained to efficiently perform our duties while keeping ourselves safe. The whole training session was a great learning experience.

What was it like to be an Olympic volunteer?  

I was with the Civilization Guidance Group primarily responsible for the Beijing Wukesong Arena (Ice-Hockey Stadium). The Beijing Wukesong Station was where I was assigned as a volunteer. My main responsibility was serving spectators, which meant giving them drop-off guidance, monitoring their body temperature, checking their game tickets, as well as promoting a safe, warm, and comfortable environment for spectators outside the arena.

Although volunteering was not easy, the experience has left me with many great memories. For being the sole international student volunteer at the Wukesong Venue, I was often greeted by many of the spectators. They would look at me and say to each other, “Hey, a foreigner is volunteering here too!”

Being with other volunteer friends day and night also allowed us to bond with each other just like family members. Working together, having dinner after work, or playing different games and celebrating friends' birthdays after work all brought joy and satisfaction to our faces.

All volunteers cheerfully carried out their duties with high professionalism, solidarity and dedication. In Beijing's bitter coldness, it was not an easy job to stand firm and tall working in shifts day and night, and yet all of us did while looking out for one another. All the volunteer friends there supported me as if they were my own family, which has left a strong influence on me and which will always be a happy and lovely memory.

What does the volunteering experience at the Winter Olympics mean to you?

Being a part of the Winter Olympics was a significant opportunity for me to improve my personality and communication skills and to contribute to society-building. It also allowed me to experience the power of sports to bring people from all over the world together, to make new friends, and to create many unforgettable memories.

What is your understanding of winter sports?

To be honest, I knew very little about winter sports before the Winter Olympics. I was familiar with only a few winter sports, such as skiing, curling, ice hockey, figure skating, freestyle skiing, and snowboarding. With the volunteering experience, I am now familiar with more ice sports, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, speed skating, and biathlon.

I am truly grateful to Tsinghua University and the Beijing Winter Olympic Organizing Committee for providing me with the opportunity to volunteer for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.