Back in 1983, Paul Madwin went to the headquarters for Los Angeles Olympic organizers to apply — in person — to volunteer for the 1984 Games.
Now 43 years later, he remembers a meeting at HQ way back when.
“They showed us a computer, and the computer was only available to send messages within the building,” he said. “But we were still amazed that we could send a message to somebody in another room, and they would answer.”
Madwin, now 88 years old, applied to volunteer for the 2028 LA Games through modern email.
He calls himself a “double volunteer,” taking part in both LA Games. Madwin is also helping get the word out for the LA28 volunteer program. Applications opened July 14, marking two years out from the Olympic Opening Ceremony, and remain open at the volunteer portal here.
There will be around 60,000 volunteers for the Olympics and Paralympics. The Olympic volunteer period is March-August 2028. The Paralympic volunteer period is August-September 2028.
“Smiles, uniforms, information, kindness. Volunteers are the face of the Games,” said
Christophe Dubi, Olympic Games Executive Director. “They welcome, guide, support and connect. Athletes are the champions on the field of play; volunteers are the champions beyond the field of play.”
In 1984, Madwin volunteered inside the LA Memorial Coliseum managing one section of spectators. He was there for the Opening Ceremony, every day of track and field competition and the Closing Ceremony. He remembers watching Carl Lewis win each of his four gold medals and Joan Benoit cross the finish line to win the first Olympic women’s marathon.
“There wasn’t a seat available because people wanted to go to the Olympics; I don’t blame them,” he said. “They came in from all over the world, different ways of speaking, talking to people. It is something that I remember today, intimately, and it was just amazing. Anybody that will volunteer (for 2028) will have the same positive memories that I had.”
Madwin amassed some 200 Olympic pins in 1984 — which he had framed — plus saved Opening and Closing Ceremony tickets, his volunteer badge and part of his volunteer uniform.
Paul Madwin
He was born in the Bronx in 1938, then moved in 1940 with his family to California. Madwin ran track in high school and briefly while in the Navy. He later became an AAU track official.
“When I heard the Olympics were coming, I signed up as early as possible,” he said of 1984. “How can you not be involved in an event like that?”
So Madwin, who had a full-time job, squeezed in volunteering in the 10 months leading into the Games on Fridays as a VIP host. He showed celebrities and people involved in politics around LA as it prepared to hold the Olympics for the first time since 1932.
“It fulfilled everything that I thought it would be,” he said.
Madwin remembered meeting people in 1984 who also volunteered in 1932. Now it’s his turn to share with visitors how LA has changed between Games.
His family moved to California in the same year that the Arroyo Seco Parkway opened, becoming the first freeway in the Western U.S. Buildings in LA had a height limit of 150 feet. Now, there are multiple 1,000-foot skyscrapers.
“So it’s grown up around me, and I have enjoyed the city, the dynamic of it, the athletics of it, the education level of it,” Madwin said. “So it’s a wonderful place to be, and I hope that everybody who comes here internationally will enjoy the city as much as I do.”
