More than 40 world championships broadcast in real time to two billion people around the world. Ever stopped to wonder how this is possible? In addition to sport specialists, the planet’s biggest sporting event relies on another heavyweight team – the tech specialists. And Rio 2016 is seeking 2,000 volunteers to help run the results and IT operations during the Games. Applications are open until 15 December (register here).

“The technology team is responsible for broadcasting the Games to the rest of the world, generating information that adds value to the competitions. We need volunteers to make this happen so that events in the venues can be shared with people across the five continents,” said Thiago Trindade, a specialist in the Rio 2016 technology team.

Volunteers will have opportunities to develop their technical skills and get to know more about sports. In addition to providing technical support for the entire Rio 2016 workforce by staffing the service desk, they will also have a chance to operate scoreboards and manage results, assisting with data input and statistics.

“I’m very much involved with technology and also with volunteering, and I registered because I wanted to take part in this event in whatever way I could,” said civil engineering student Julio César Luz, a volunteer with the ‘Engineers without Borders’ NGO that takes engineering and technology projects to needy communities throughout the world. “I just want to help out. It’s bound to be a very exciting time and the entire city will be in on the action so that everything goes according to plan.”

In addition to being technophiles and wanting to take part, our ‘technology athletes’ will need to be 18 years old by February 2016, have basic computer skills (Windows, Ethernet architecture, operating equipment and hardware) and be available to work during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“You don’t need to be an expert to work in our technology team,” said Trindade. “We are looking for candidates with basic knowledge, sufficient to provide support. But to work in the results group, specific knowledge of a sport could be the deciding factor.”

In addition to technology, Rio 2016 volunteers are also required for a further eight areas – health services, protocol and languages, transport, sports, press and communications, ceremonies production, operational support and customer services. You can find out more and register anytime before 15 December by visiting www.rio2016.com/volunteers.