The Volunteers

The Volunteers is dedicated to the people who make sporting events possible, often while remaining almost invisible to the spectators. While athletes compete and photographers focus on the action, countless volunteers are working behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

At almost every sporting event, they are everywhere. They welcome athletes and spectators, hand out accreditation, prepare equipment, provide drinks, guide participants, assist officials and help organise countless practical details. Their roles may differ enormously, but together they form an essential part of the event.

As a sports photographer, I am interested in these people precisely because they are rarely the centre of attention. While looking beyond the competition itself, I often discover small moments that reveal their commitment: a volunteer preparing an arena early in the morning, handing water to an exhausted athlete, helping someone find their way or sharing a laugh with colleagues during a quiet moment.

These photographs also show another side of sport. Major competitions may appear highly professional and carefully organised, but behind that polished presentation is an enormous amount of human effort. Volunteers contribute their time, knowledge and enthusiasm, often simply because they feel connected to the sport or want to be part of something larger.

Their work creates its own photographic stories. Concentration, teamwork, humour, fatigue and pride can all be found away from the main action. A small gesture of assistance can sometimes say more about the spirit of an event than a photograph of the competition itself.

For me, photographing volunteers is therefore also a way of giving visibility to people who usually work outside the spotlight. Without them, many sporting events — from small local competitions to major international championships — simply could not take place.

The Volunteers is a tribute to the people behind the scenes — quietly contributing their time, energy and dedication, and reminding us that every great sporting event is ultimately a team effort.

Group of people dressed in bright orange and neon green safety vests and jackets walking past a large black wall with white text and a logo. Some are carrying bags and cooling boxes, with a man in the foreground wearing an orange hoodie and carrying
Two men in orange and black work uniforms walking along a road with a metal guardrail, while a group of photographers and videographers with cameras and zoom lenses stand behind the guardrail, taking photos of them. There is a large black banner in t
A person wearing sunglasses, a headset, and orange racing pants is standing on a race track, pointing towards a red Ferrari race car in the foreground. The track has red and yellow barriers and a digital red warning sign on a pole in the background.
A group of people gather under a canopy at a race event on a rainy day, serving food.
A man with a race bib and athletic gear, including a white cap, is being handed water by a race volunteer wearing a blue vest and hooded jacket in rainy weather during a race.
Two women participating in an outdoor race in snowy weather, reaching out to shake hands. One woman is wearing a red jacket and black shorts, the other in a white jacket. There is a tent in the background and snow on the ground.
A man smiling outdoors in winter, wearing glasses, a beige beanie, a red hooded sweatshirt, and a blue safety vest. He is holding a white paper cup and has his arms outstretched as snow falls around him.
A runner in a gray Nike shirt and beige cap participating in a race in rainy weather, being handed water by volunteers in blue vests labeled 'CREW' lined up along the roadside.
Two men shaking hands at an outdoor event in the snow, with other people in the background. One man is wearing a black hoodie and red shorts, while the other is dressed in a fleece jacket with a hood and glasses. They are smiling and holding cups.
Marathon runner in black shorts and teal jacket running on wet, rainy street, while volunteers hand out beverages in a race event with onlookers in the background and trees and houses on a cloudy day.
A smiling person wearing a winter hat and jacket, holding a container of assorted marshmallows and baked treats, standing in a snowy outdoor environment with other people in the background.
Two children, a girl and a boy, standing outdoors in winter, holding cups, with snow falling around them, and trees in the background.
A runner in a black jacket and black beanie running in a rainy race, receiving a cup of water from a volunteer in a jacket and hood, with other runners in the background on a wet road
A group of marathon runners, including a man in a blue jacket, running on a wet road during rainy weather with trees and a house in the background.
Young woman holding a cup smiling outdoors on rainy day, crowd of people in blue jackets in background at a racing event.
Marathon runners participating in an outdoor race in rainy weather, with spectators and race officials on the side.
A person in athletic gear runs through rain while two volunteers in blue vests hand out cups on a wet road during a race or marathon.
A marathon runner reaches out to accept water from race volunteers on a rainy day, with other runners in the background.
A woman in a white jacket receiving a beverage from a man in a gray jacket and white cap at an outdoor event on a rainy day, with a group of people watching in the background.
A group of runners participating in a race during rainy weather, with one runner in green shirt and another in camouflage shoes in the foreground, and others in colorful attire further back.
Marathon runners participating in a race on a rainy day, with race bibs, surrounded by event staff and spectators, with trees and buildings in the background.
Group of children and a young man, all wearing bright green vests, posing outdoors on a cloudy day. Some children are smiling and kneeling, while the young man is standing with arms raised, making peace signs. They are at a location with metal struct
Group of young people walking along a rainy track next to a barrier fence, with some raising their hands and smiling, wearing jackets and rain gear.
Group of people in orange safety vests and winter clothing posing under a beige tent with snow falling.