Volunteer operation gets underway for London 2012

[divingbrit]

The biggest post war volunteer recruitment campaign is taking place to help ensure the successful operation of the Olympics.

More than 70,000 volunteers are being recruited for front-line and backroom roles during the Games, helping out the official organisers.

Volunteers, officially called ‘Games Makers’, will be divided into 10 departments for London 2012 such as Department of Torch Relays and Ceremonies and Department of Transport. They will be involved in a variety of duties ranging from ticket inspectors to uniform distributors. Each will wear the bright purple and orange coloured uniform while on duty.

Although many of the original quarter of a million applicants have already been allocated roles, many more are still waiting to hear if they are successful.

“We want the best team players in the UK to apply, people who show the same qualities as our athletes including dedication, focus and grace under pressure,” said Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

All applicants are being subjected to rigorous background checks for security reasons and will be given training in their specific roles.

Many of those who have already been notified are eagerly looking forward to the task. Chin Zhu, 22, a fashion management student at the University of Arts in London, will be among those responsible for volunteer uniforms. She said: “It’s so lucky to be a Game Maker in London 2012. I think it will be fantastic to be involved.”

Johnny Liao, 22, a business management student at the University of East Anglia, is waiting to hear whether he will have a role in the opening and closing ceremonies. He said: “London 2012 is quite a massive event and people all over the world will be paying attention to it. It is a once-in-a-life-time experience for me to get involved.”

Emily Weston, 21, from London, an economics graduate, who is still waiting to hear whether she has a position, said: “If I fail to be a game maker, I think I will apply for other ways to volunteer. Be a volunteer in the council or some volunteer societies will be helpful as well, I think. ”

A spokesman for LOCOG said: “We’ve been really impressed with the levels of enthusiasm and commitment of potential volunteers so far,” he added: “Don’t worry if you haven’t heard from us yet – offers will be made on an ongoing basis until April.”

eastlondonolympics.co.uk