Local volunteer symbolizes community spirit as Olympic events head to Oklahoma City
For 40 years, Kathleen Shelton has done the same thing every time the Olympic flame drew near: she applied to be a volunteer. Summer or winter, she submitted her name and waited. The longstanding ritual — now a story as much about persistence as about community — has followed Shelton through decades of Games she watched on television.
Earlier this month, Riversport volunteer program manager Ashley Petty said Shelton’s name is often the first on any sign-up list. But despite her persistence and enthusiasm, Shelton has never been assigned to volunteer at the Olympics. Her closest brush with an assignment came ahead of Tokyo, when she did not receive a rejection but the Games ultimately limited volunteer numbers because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I've always loved the Olympics, because everyone is equal," Shelton said. "When the Olympics is on, I'm in front of my TV the whole two weeks of it."
Shelton, now 76 years old, still finds ways to be involved in sport locally. While mobility limitations keep her from handling physically demanding tasks, she commonly helps at Riversport by sitting indoors near the VIP staircase and maintaining security for that area. She uses a walker and keeps a volunteer chair nearby for others who might fill a shift. The position offers Shelton regular contact with visitors and athletes from around the world — connections she treasures.
Her presence at events also serves as a reminder of Oklahoma City’s growing profile on the international sports stage. The city is set to host softball at Devon Park and canoe slalom at Riversport during the LA28 Olympic Games. Riversport recently staged the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, bringing the venue international competition experience ahead of the 2028 Games.
| Event | Oklahoma City Venue |
|---|---|
| Softball | Devon Park |
| Canoe slalom | Riversport |
Shelton’s personal preparations for LA28 include more than volunteer applications. She won the first lottery to buy tickets and purchased roughly $5,000 worth of seats, hoping to watch events in person even if she is not assigned to work. Whether as a spectator or a volunteer, she says her enthusiasm for the Olympics stems from the Games’ spirit and the way they bring people together.
- Shelton has applied to volunteer at the Olympics for 40 years.
- She won the initial ticket lottery for LA28 and bought about $5,000 in tickets.
- Oklahoma City will host softball at Devon Park and canoe slalom at Riversport.
At local events, Shelton’s warmth and small gestures are part of what organizers and fellow volunteers notice. Petty described her as a constant source of positivity and said she has become, informally, one of the faces of Oklahoma City volunteerism at Riversport. Shelton’s routine includes handing out her homemade "fun buttons," which measure enjoyment at three levels: minimum, medium and maximum — and for Shelton, it’s always maximum.
Shelton also uses her time volunteering to make connections with visiting athletes and families. She remembers greeting a woman from the Czech Republic who visited multiple times in one day; when the woman’s son competed, Shelton cheered him on and joined in the celebration at the awards ceremony even though she could not reach the top of the hill.
As Oklahoma City prepares for its roles during the LA28 Olympics, stories like Shelton’s underscore the human side of hosting global sport: local volunteers, longtime supporters and everyday residents who will shape visitors’ impressions of the city. Whether or not Shelton secures an official volunteer assignment for LA28, she has already embodied the kind of civic hospitality and persistence that organizers often say are essential to staging world-class events.
Her steady presence at Riversport and her decades-long hope to serve at the Olympics also raise questions for local planners about how to include older volunteers and those with limited mobility in meaningful roles. For now, Shelton continues to apply, to attend local competitions and to buy tickets — and to remind Oklahoma City that enthusiasm for the Games is often a community affair.
