More Than 240,000 Apply to Become Games Makers at London 2012 Games

The London 2012 Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) reports that over 240,000 people have applied to the London 2012 Games Maker volunteer programme.

Applications for the London 2012 volunteering programme have now closed and people from all backgrounds and communities and from across the UK have applied for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

The volunteering team at LOCOG will now be working through the applications to select the best of the best. They are looking for dedicated and passionate people who are committed to going beyond their personal best and ensuring that the London 2012 Games are the best they can be.

Selection and interviews of short-listed applicants will take place from February 2011 to February 2012 before training will begin.

Research into applications has revealed that 40% of all applicants to date have said that London 2012 has inspired them to volunteer for the first time.

The Mayor of London is also running a separate volunteering programme and aiming to recruit up to 8,000 London Ambassadors to help and advise all the visitors who will travel to London in Games time. Located at key points across the city - including transport hubs, outside Games venues, and at popular visitor spots - they will provide information on what to see and do, where to stay and how to get around the capital. The registration period for the Mayor’s volunteering programme closes on 31st December 2010.

Worldwide Olympic Partner McDonald’s is the Presenting Partner of the Volunteer Programme. McDonald’s has used its nationwide presence to help attract candidates for the diverse team that will be needed to make the London 2012 Games a success.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “We’re thrilled with the response we’ve had to date for our volunteering programme and would like to thank the 240,000 people who have pledged to give their time during the Games in 2012. Now we begin the task of finding the right people and ensuring that we match them to the most appropriate roles. This is a long process and will take time but we’re asking people to be patient – this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is really worth it!”

Justin Davis Smith, Chair of the Life-Time UK Alliance and Chief Executive of Volunteering England, said: “We’re delighted with this great response to the Games Maker programme. The Games Makers will each have an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience. The excitement generated by the 2012 Games will create a lasting legacy for volunteering in our society.”