Lizzie F.: I had realized how difficult and emotional the Candle of Remembrance would be

Lizzie F: I had realized how difficult and emotional the Candle of Remembrance would be

©IG23, Copyright Johann Michael Scheller

Lizzie F.: "I had realised how difficult and emotional the Candle of Remembrance would be for many. However, experiencing it myself was probably one of the most profound moments of the Games."

Volunteers generally play a special role at the Invictus Games. They are often connected in some way to the athletes or their families, or even travelling to the Games around the world out of personal interest. At the Games in Düsseldorf, the organisers explained to the volunteers that the Games could not have been held without them. Part of the ceremonies were even dedicated to the role of the volunteers and they were honoured by the audience.

We spoke to one of them, Lizzie F., who at 18 was one of the youngest volunteers. She had taken a leave of absence from her employer to be there. Lizzie F. was lucky enough to be assigned to the "venue" area, which meant that she had to help with the opening and closing ceremonies. So she suddenly found herself on stage, something she had never expected.

24. February 2024

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IN FOCOS/DÜSSELDORF

Name: Lizzie F.

Occupation: Baccalaureate student and Trainee

Residence: Düsseldorf

“I had no idea what was in store for me, but I agreed. There wasn't an opportunity like this in Düsseldorf yet.“

How did it actually start for you?

I became aware of the numerous advertising spaces throughout the city and found it interesting to be a volunteer at such a big event. I applied for special leave from my employer, where I am doing my apprenticeship, so that I would be available for this time. Shortly before the Games in September, all the volunteers had their first meeting at a youth hostel in Düsseldorf. There I was greeted by the friendly Captain Hardy, who assigned me to his "venue". I had no idea what was in store for me, but I agreed. There wasn't an opportunity like this in Düsseldorf yet.

"The first day was like a rush of people in yellow T-shirts."

How did your first day go?

The first day was like a rush of people in yellow T-shirts. I had also underestimated the size of the site and how easy it was to get lost. You would have thought that my yellow mates would be in the same area as me, but that wasn't the case. Eventually I found my group and was given an explanation of how the first day at the Invictus Games would go. One of our main missions that day was to look after and take care of the nations we were assigned to. I was assigned the nation of Georgia to take them to their seats and look after them for the evening. The opening ceremony, which was rearranged at the last minute, exuded an atmosphere of camaraderie and love.

I also saw you on television at the Candle of Remembrance. What exactly happened there?

I think my team of about 20 people was supposed to form a kind of light path to the candle. And I suspect that we as volunteers added another meaning to the candle. I had realised how difficult and emotional the Candle of Remembrance would be for many. However, experiencing it myself was probably one of the most profound moments of the Games. It was only afterwards that I realised that I had been shown on the screens for a while.

“The fact that we worked together and experienced everything together took away any nervousness."

How did you feel about the games? What were your favourite moments?

I enjoyed working together with many volunteers from different countries the most, as they also told me about their volunteering experiences. The fact that we worked together and experienced everything together took away any nervousness.

Another moment that I only found out about afterwards was the short meeting with the Lord Mayor and the Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius. On the way to the candle on the stage, we shook hands with people we didn't even recognise because it was so dark. It was only later that I found out that they had thanked us and shaken our hands.