Tamara Smith reflects on journey with Olympics, shares connection
French Teacher Tamara Smith has volunteered for the Olympics since 2014. Smith's positions have included serving as the National Olympic Committee assistant to the French delegation in the main Olympic Village at the Sochi 2014 Games and as the Team Services Assistant in the Olympic Village at the Paris 2024 Games.
Seen 12:14
At the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Smith will volunteer as the Photo Services Assistant, aiding international journalists with translation and personal assistance.
Delivered 12:30
Graphic by Noelle Quintin
Smith said many of the Olympics’ principles derive from historic international peace frameworks, helping to shape Olympians.
Seen 12:45
“There’s a component in the Olympics, which is so strictly tied to values … The values that are linked closely with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Understanding Component,” Smith said. “For an Olympian, it's not just that you're going to the Olympics, it's that you are becoming an Olympian.”
Seen 13:22
Furthermore, in reference to American Figure Skater Jason Brown's endearing support of the Ronald McDonald Foundation, Smith said the title of an Olympian is much more than the word holds.
Delivered 14:19
“Athletes get really excited about being an Olympian because it gives you a platform to do so much more than what you can just do with your sport,” she said. “The Ronald McDonald houses internationally have had such a boost because of how he's [Jason Brown’s] been able to draw attention to it and get people involved in it. And again and again, you see different humanitarian initiatives that get that goose because of their connection with an athlete.”
Seen 15:04
In addition, Smith said American gymnast Simone Biles has had an immensely positive impact on athletes’ mental health and protective facilities throughout their competition experience.
Delivered 15:06
“Watching people like her and Coco Gauff have the courage to be open, I think … had an impact on our high school community,” Smith said. “I see students feeling comfortable and supported and not feeling stigma about talking about mental health that I didn’t 4 years ago.”
Seen 16:00
Moreover, Smith said, despite athletes attending the Olympics for their careers, it is their sole presence and opportunity to compete as Olympians for their country that fuels their competition.
Seen 17:02
“When you go to the Olympics, yes, you want to have that pinnacle performance of your career, and you want to have it all lead to this culminating, athletic performance that hopefully is going to get you … a medal, but the vast majority of athletes that are going to the Olympics are going, knowing that they don’t necessarily have a shot at getting the medal, and they're going to be a part of the Olympic Village,” Smith said. “They’re going to have the honor of representing their country.”
Delivered 17:57
Tamara Smith reflects on journey with Olympics, shares connection
Noelle Quintin
Created on February 5, 2026
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Transcript
Tamara Smith reflects on journey with Olympics, shares connection
French Teacher Tamara Smith has volunteered for the Olympics since 2014. Smith's positions have included serving as the National Olympic Committee assistant to the French delegation in the main Olympic Village at the Sochi 2014 Games and as the Team Services Assistant in the Olympic Village at the Paris 2024 Games.
Seen 12:14
At the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Smith will volunteer as the Photo Services Assistant, aiding international journalists with translation and personal assistance.
Delivered 12:30
Graphic by Noelle Quintin
Smith said many of the Olympics’ principles derive from historic international peace frameworks, helping to shape Olympians.
Seen 12:45
“There’s a component in the Olympics, which is so strictly tied to values … The values that are linked closely with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Understanding Component,” Smith said. “For an Olympian, it's not just that you're going to the Olympics, it's that you are becoming an Olympian.”
Seen 13:22
Furthermore, in reference to American Figure Skater Jason Brown's endearing support of the Ronald McDonald Foundation, Smith said the title of an Olympian is much more than the word holds.
Delivered 14:19
“Athletes get really excited about being an Olympian because it gives you a platform to do so much more than what you can just do with your sport,” she said. “The Ronald McDonald houses internationally have had such a boost because of how he's [Jason Brown’s] been able to draw attention to it and get people involved in it. And again and again, you see different humanitarian initiatives that get that goose because of their connection with an athlete.”
Seen 15:04
In addition, Smith said American gymnast Simone Biles has had an immensely positive impact on athletes’ mental health and protective facilities throughout their competition experience.
Delivered 15:06
“Watching people like her and Coco Gauff have the courage to be open, I think … had an impact on our high school community,” Smith said. “I see students feeling comfortable and supported and not feeling stigma about talking about mental health that I didn’t 4 years ago.”
Seen 16:00
Moreover, Smith said, despite athletes attending the Olympics for their careers, it is their sole presence and opportunity to compete as Olympians for their country that fuels their competition.
Seen 17:02
“When you go to the Olympics, yes, you want to have that pinnacle performance of your career, and you want to have it all lead to this culminating, athletic performance that hopefully is going to get you … a medal, but the vast majority of athletes that are going to the Olympics are going, knowing that they don’t necessarily have a shot at getting the medal, and they're going to be a part of the Olympic Village,” Smith said. “They’re going to have the honor of representing their country.”
Delivered 17:57