They are the heart and soul of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. And they’re already in action, helping put together the biggest sporting event on earth. On International Volunteer Day (Friday 5 December) we want to pay tribute to the special team that is already playing its part in South America’s first Games. They are not called pioneers for nothing.

“The pioneer volunteers bring great joy and passion to the organising committee,” said Flavia Fontes, Head of the Rio 2016 Volunteer Programme. “People from very diverse backgrounds are contributing with their knowledge and experience in a very intense way, and this has made a world of a difference to our day-to-day working lives.”

There are currently 71 pioneer volunteers working in 20 areas of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, ranging from culture to health services, licensing to government relations. Francisca Lúcia Maciel, 57, is one such person. Since 2007, when Rio was among the candidates to host the Games, she has been helping to make history. Working in the events team, she has already participated in countless milestones, including the launch of the Rio 2016 logos and the Look of the Games.

“I have a special fondness for each of these events,” she said. “They all give me a feeling of achievement. The secret is to work with love, without expecting anything in return. If that’s how you work, you can’t help but come out on top.”

And it was through the camera lens that volunteer Mathilde Molla recorded some of the most important milestones of the year – from the first Rio 2016 test event (the Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta) to the two-year countdown to the Paralympic Games and the unveiling of the mascots.

“As a volunteer, I always aim to discover new things, get to know new people, learn about a different universe and expand my knowledge,” she said. “What drives me is being able to contribute in some way to a noble cause, like Rio 2016. Not to mention the fact that it’s fantastic to see our work in circulation throughout the world.”

Ricardo Luís helped at the airport during the mascots' arrival. And who took the picture? (Photo: Rio 2016/Mathilde Molla)

Tourism graduate Ricardo Luís also helps out in the events team. He was involved in the visit of mascots of previous editions of the Games, who came to Rio to meet the Rio 2016 mascots, delighting families who saw their arrival at the airport.

“We provided all the support necessary for unveiling our mascots and the arrival of the other mascots,” he said. “It was an incredible experience, creating a Games atmosphere over a year and a half before the opening ceremony.”

Volunteer Anna Carolina Santos is helping coordinate the vote for the mascots' names (Photo: Rio 2016/ Mathilde Molla)

Anna Carolina Santos was another pioneer volunteer present at the unveiling of the Rio 2016 mascots. A graduate in veterinary medicine, she is officially assigned to the culture area, but is really a Jill-of-all-trades: “Doing things to help always came very naturally to me. It’s how I was raised at home,” said Santos, who had the following message:

“Imagine everyone talking about the Games, the city immersed in the event, participating in a historic moment for Rio and for Brazil... would you want to miss out? Best grab the chance to take part. These are historic events and I’m sure no one will regret participating.”

Rio 2016 will rely on 70,000 volunteers to deliver the Games, with more 500 diffrent roles to fill. If you want to play a part, registration is open until 15 December. Just visit our website. You must be 18 years old by February 2016 and available to work during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.