by sportswriter Yang Boyi
TURIN, Italy, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Matthew Hotos is a dedicated volunteer and avid traveler. Originally from Manhattan, the 59-year-old New Yorker has attended multiple Olympic Games, but the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games marks his first time volunteering at the biennial university sports event.
Hotos has an impressive track record as a globetrotter and volunteer. Over the years, he has contributed his time to numerous international sporting events, including the Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics, as well as the Paris 2024 Summer Games.
Although he missed the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, he is determined not to skip Milano Cortina 2026. "Hopefully, I'll be volunteering there," he said. As part of his preparation, Hotos arrived in Torino a year early to experience another Italian winter sports competition.
"I do this in my spare time. I'm retired," he explained. Formerly a businessman, Hotos now spends this chapter of his life volunteering at sporting events around the world.
When asked how others can pursue similar volunteering opportunities, he shared practical advice. "I was a business owner, so I had the luxury of doing other things I wanted to do. That's very important," he said.
NEW CHALLENGES
Although Hotos has years of volunteering experiences, Torino is his first FISU Games. How does it compare to the Olympics?
"They're different from the Olympics. It's smaller. The structure is the same in terms of how everything works, but my Olympic experience allows me to navigate more easily and help others, too," said Hotos, a self-described fan of biathlon and figure skating. "A lot of people don't know how certain things work, but the principles are the same whether it's the Olympics or smaller events because they follow the same organizational structure."
Torino may be a new volunteering destination for Hotos, but it's far from his first visit to Italy. "I've come to Italy many times because my background is fashion. Milan, Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice, I've been to all those cities," he said.
Hotos has found an intriguing intersection between his fashion expertise and his passion for sports. His first involvement with the Olympic Games was as part of the Athens 2004 organizing committee, where he oversaw the apparel section.
"Anything that had to do with clothing, I was responsible for because athletes have to look good," he recalled. He noted that opening ceremonies often feel like global fashion shows, with nations showcasing their unique uniforms.
"That's why you see sponsorships by top fashion and clothing brands. Athletes want to perform, but they also want to look good. So, there's always a connection between sports and fashion," he said.
DRIVEN BY PASSION
What keeps Hotos returning to global sporting events? His answer is simple: "I like the Olympics. It's fun. You get to be involved. It's a great event."
Whether it's witnessing a world record, experiencing an unforgettable game, or connecting with fellow fans while waiting for a shuttle, the magic of these events is undeniable. For Hotos, the inspiration and connections they offer make it impossible to walk away.
As he told a FISU young reporter, "I will keep doing it as long as I can." ■