For six days, these volunteers—most of them students, alongside dedicated adults—worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the competition ran smoothly, from the early-morning preliminaries to the high-energy evening finals.

A Team Behind the Team

At almost every international swim meet, there is an unseen network of people making sure everything works: the right equipment in place, athletes guided to where they need to be, and the environment set for fair and enjoyable competition. In Bucharest, the volunteers provided that backbone of support, helping to create the “perfect conditions” for one of the world’s most prestigious junior events.

Recognising their importance, the organising committee dedicated a ceremony to celebrate their contributions. Between the preliminaries and finals on day five, each of the 142 volunteers walked the same path as the 882 competing swimmers. As their names were announced, music filled the pool deck, their faces appeared on the giant video screens, and they received applause equal to that given to the athletes they had supported all week. Wearing their bright yellow t-shirts and accreditation badges, they were, in every sense, part of the championships team.

Recognition from a Champion

Leading the celebration was Camelia Potec, Olympic gold medallist and President of the Organising Committee. She personally greeted every volunteer as they stopped for a photograph, emphasising the trust and appreciation World Aquatics had placed in Romania to stage the event.

“World Aquatics trusted us, and your work showed that we deserved this opportunity,” Potec told the volunteers. “You’ve done a great job, and I want you to know we are proud of your efforts this week. We created a ceremony for you, just like the athletes, because you deserved to be recognised on the same stage.”

Her message underlined the significance of the volunteers’ role: they were not simply helpers, but essential contributors to both the success of the event and the image of Romania as a host nation.

Lasting Impact

Each volunteer received a certificate and a commemorative backpack—tokens of appreciation for the countless hours spent at the pool. But the recognition was about more than gifts. For many, the memory of being honoured in front of thousands of fans and athletes from around the world will endure as one of the highlights of the championships.

Potec also connected their contributions to the broader success of the Romanian swimming team, which fielded 18 athletes at the championships and earned two medals. “We should be very proud of our swimmers, who performed in the pool, and equally proud of our volunteers, who performed at the pool. Thanks to everyone here, Romanian athletes have a bright future—towards the next championships and the next Olympics.”

A Ceremony of Belonging

As the volunteers lined the pool deck during the ceremony, applauding one another like teammates, it was clear this moment was as much about community as it was about recognition. Their dedication, passion, and heart gave life to the championships, ensuring that swimmers and coaches from around the world experienced the best Romania had to offer.

For many of the young volunteers, it was not only a chance to serve but also an introduction to international sport, leaving them inspired for future opportunities—whether in swimming, volunteering, or beyond.

The applause that evening in Otopeni wasn’t just for medals. It was for the people in yellow shirts who made the championships possible—Romania’s unsung heroes, finally brought centre stage.