The Rio 2016 Games will comprise more than 800 medal events in 65 Olympic and Paralympic sports, taking place at 37 venues. To ensure that everything goes according to plan, the organising committee will rely on  15,000 volunteers who will be in the thick of the action, making a real difference for the athletes. (Want to be part of this team? Sign up here before 15 December).

“Sports volunteers have a huge role to play at Rio 2016,” said Felipe Lucero, a sports workforce specialist at the Rio 2016 Organising Committee. “They will not only be inside the venues, often they will actually be on the field of play with the athletes. They will have a direct impact on the competitions and have the challenge of helping to create the perfect conditions for the athletes’ to shine on the biggest day of their lives.”

Sports volunteers will be involved in technical and service-related operations. Technical volunteers will be on the field of play, for example acting as ball boys and girls, and ensuring that the competition area is kept in perfect condition. Those involved in services will assist athletes and delegations in other venue areas, such as changing rooms, lounge areas and warm-up zones.

Experience will be key for these roles. If you are or were an athlete, coach or referee, have worked on a technical team, or are simply a mega sports enthusiast who knows a lot about a particular sport, this job could be for you.

“We need people who really understand the competition dynamics of their sports, because many of their tasks will have a major impact during competition,” said Lucero. “For example, in hockey, returning the ball when it goes out of play will be the responsibility of the ball boys and girls. This requires strict compliance with the rules, as a volunteer’s action can actually affect the result of the match.”

Cristina Souza, a 54-year-old from Rio, did not hesitate to sign up for a place in the programme. “I worked for many years in special needs education and have dreamt of participating in the Paralympic Games,” she said. “And since I’m retired, volunteering is an opportunity to be useful and contribute to something I believe in. I have a lot of experience in sports for the deaf and blind and I think I can make a contribution and provide support for the athletes.”

To be a Rio 2016 volunteer, you need to be 18 years old by February 2016 and available to work during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Volunteers will fill more than 500 roles across nine areas: health services, sports, protocol and languages, technology, transport, ceremonies production, press and communications, operational support and customer services.

Find out more on the volunteers website.