Thorsten Emmert looks after guests of honor and former sports stars as a volunteer
Berglern - “Right in the middle instead of just being there” was the motto for Thorsten Emmert at the European Football Championship.
The Berglerner was not on the sidelines in Munich, London or St. Petersburg.
To this end, the 54-year-old volunteered at the airport in Erdinger Moos and looked after guests who were on their way to the European Championship games of the German national team in the Allianz Arena.
Officials, guests of honor and Holland's goalkeeper legend Edwin van der Sar accompanied Emmert to the shuttle service.
From there the journey continued to the hotel or the arena, and Emmert's mission was over.
The retired air traffic controller had already applied around two years ago when volunteers for the European Football Championship were being sought as part of a call for tenders. At that time he would also have been interested in the anti-doping area, according to Emmert. “There are various areas: driver service, accreditation, or here the Airport Welcome Service,” he lists.
There, at Terminal Two, Emmert waited around six to eight hours for passengers every day of the operation. His working times were changing. “It was like shift work,” says the 54-year-old. A special app listed exactly when and how long it was in use. Together with his colleagues, he then got the names of the guests and their arrival time using a database. “Teams and super VIPs weren't there. But it was still very informative and exciting, ”he says happily about his assignments.
The group was well organized, and guests would come spontaneously from time to time. "Then you just have to coordinate who takes on which guest," he explains. The hygiene regulations were taken very seriously everywhere. Because before Emmert could start his job, he had to perform a rapid antigen test every time. The white FFP2 mask was also compulsory. And of course there was also uniform so that the volunteers could be recognized immediately. The volunteers were on duty in dark trousers and a light shirt. For free time he was also given a light blue polo shirt with the EURO 2020 logo.
The volunteer did not receive any money for his services, he was “rewarded” with meal vouchers.
But that doesn't bother the mountain learner.
Rather, it is the experiences and the conversations that attracted him to have made his contribution to the Euro.
And his commitment as a volunteer is far from over: In the coming year, Emmert would like to be at the European Championships in Munich in August.
Athletics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing, triathlon, canoe racing, beach volleyball, table tennis and sport climbing are on the EM program.
And after the EM is before the EM.
Because Emmert is also hoping to be awarded as a volunteer at the next European Football Championship in Germany in 2024.
“I would like to be closer to the athletes,” he says.