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Volunteering at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver 21 | Thursday, July 16, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com When it was time for Pascal Tyrrell to apply for a Pan Am Games volunteer position, he didn't think twice. The 47-year-old Oakville resident, and assistant professor in the Department of Medical Imaging at the University of Toronto (UOT), is no stranger to volunteerism. For 20 years, he has been running the Titans -- a special needs and generic powerlifting club -- which is relocating to Oakville's Radix Performance Centre next week. "I've volunteered all my life. It's something I do and have done for my community for a long time. It was an easy, natural progression. I enjoy volunteering. This is the first time I've volunteered at a large event like the Pan Am Games," said Tyrrell. "I like supporting my community and I thought it would be a really neat opportunity for the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). What put it together for me was working at the University of Toronto and to be able to showcase Toronto." He also wanted to get involved because the UOT supports the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, which particularly drew his interest, Tyrrell said, noting his application went through "quite a long process" before he was accepted in January. "Because it was literally at my doorstep, it was hard for me to say no. I felt I should at least try Oakville's Pascal Tyrrell said he didn't think twice before volunteering at the 2015 Pan Am Games. | submitted photo to apply for it. It's a very large event for Canada and the largest sporting event we've (Toronto) hosted. Maybe it will put a bid in for the 2024 Summer Olympics," said Tyrrell. The Pan Am Games runs until July 26 and features numerous athletic competitions in southern Ontario -- from Oshawa to Welland. The UOT professor is working as a press operations supervisor at the Pan Am sailing venue, which is hosted by the Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) on the Toronto Islands. The sailing finals will take place in the inner harbour, visible from Sugar Beach, Saturday (July 18) and Sunday (July 19). Tyrrell will retain his role for the Parapan Am Games in August, but will be working at the Mississauga Sports Centre (Mississauga Hershey Centre). The RCYC venue has four stations inside -- a helpdesk, a mix zone where athletes gather with reporters for comment after an event and areas for managing photography and a Games-related news service for acquiring flash quotes, the latter of which is Tyrrell's job. "What we do is take quotes from athletes and post them on the newswire for other news services to take after the event. I'm on that station. It's pretty fun," said Tyrrell, who's working seven to nine Pan Am shifts from 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. until Sunday (or Monday, July 20, if a make-up date is needed). Tyrrell is enjoying his job so far, but he had to work through some challenges on his first day on July 12, he explained. "Sailing is truly a different venue just because of sailing itself -- the boats, teams, lots of measurement and you're all sequestered in a yacht club. Trying to organize all that was what we did Sunday, but no complaints, whatsoever," said Tyrrell. With sailing, there is always a rush, then a long wait, followed by another rush, the Oakville resident said, which makes for a "cool experience." "Once they're on the water, you get some downtime. When they come back in, it's a big rush again because you talk to the athletes and put the boats away. It's been very different for me. I've never done sailing before," said Tyrrell. The 47-year-old is looking forward to being part of the Games for the rest of his shifts, Tyrrell said, as volunteering is a "great break" from his job. "I love being a professor at the University of Toronto, but it's great to just immerse yourself in something completely different. It's really, truly just about the experience. Being there and being a volunteer, for me, is enjoyable," said Tyrrell, who will be working Aug. 8-13 at the Parapan Am Games. LIKE US ON # in Patios & Driveways! 1 J.M.C Concrete Interlocking LTD · Free Estimates · 24 Hour Service Comfort Friendly Spa-like l r. M ge aris n A ' aD Caring · stamped concrete · interlocking · exposed aggregate · flagstone · french curbs · retaining walls · garage floors · free estimates www.jmcconcrete.ca g hiv ani Sag ar 905-878-8595 Ask for John D r. S Relaxing o Visit our new dental office, conveniently located on the ground floor of the recently built Palermo Professional Centre (SE corner of Bronte Road and Dundas Street). 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