News

Back to News

The volunteer programme is trademark of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. For many people, contributing in some way to the Games is a means of living out the dream of being part of the history of world sport. As a result, the programme has a strong emotional aspect.

However, there is another important, more rational aspect to the programme – the legacy of knowledge generated from training for Games-time work routines. Rio 2016 will provide the selected volunteers with 1,600 courses, on subjects encompassing leadership, health and safety, and service excellence, among other things. In addition, all the volunteers will have the right to take part in a free English course.

Looking from this rational perspective, concerning the experience and knowledge acquired, the volunteer programme is a major legacy tool for the post-Games job market. This experience is also a valuable way to enhance the CVs of recent university graduates, people looking for their first job and those looking for replacement.

Through the Games volunteer programme, many experienced professionals also have the chance to work in new areas, developing different skills from those they are used to or going beyond what may just be a weekend hobby. Furthermore, the diversity of the Games’ enables a lot of knowledge to be shared, making the 29 days of competitions a momentous period in volunteers’ lives.

For next year’s Games, Rio 2016 will recruit 70,000 volunteers, and the vacancies are extremely varied – from interpreters to makeup assistants, from physiotherapists to photographers, including hairdressers, costume designers, paramedics and drivers. None of these vacancies requires expertise – just some basic knowledge and a great desire to contribute to the success of the planet’s biggest sports event.

Did you apply to be a Rio 2016 volunteer? The application period has now ended, but it is still possible to join the waiting list. Enrol it and have the chance to take part in this grand party of world sport.