Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee Gives Start To Mass Volunteer’s Recruitment For The Games 2014

Two years before the start of the Games, the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee has announced its volunteer recruitment program. Anyone between the ages of 18-80 (on 6 January 2014) will be eligible to become a Sochi 2014 volunteer. Over 200,000 registered bids are expected on the official website, vol.sochi2014.com, with an estimated eight applicants per position.

Different events will be held all over the country with participation of 26 Sochi 2014 volunteer centres to mark the start of the volunteers’ recruitment. The most important event will be organized in Sochi at the “Rosa Khutor” Alpine Centre in Krasnaya Polyana. In the presence of Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry Kozak, volunteers will set on fire a giant heart (1.2 m x 1.2 m) which has already become a symbol of the Sochi 2014 volunteer movement. Also the volunteers will hand to each other a small burning heart, they hope it will become a nice tradition which will help to promote participation in the volunteer movement and increase a number of good deeds.

Persons willing to become volunteers should complete a form at vol.sochi2014.com from 7 February 2012. Then, according to a chosen activity area and region of residence, the bid will be submitted in one of 26 volunteer centers “Sochi 2014” situated all over the country. During several days the applicant will get the registration acknowledgement. The applicants whose bids will totally satisfy the requirements mentioned at vol.sochi2014.com will be invited to a selection interview.

The President and CEO of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee, Dmitry Chernyshenko, noted: "Why should volunteers come to Sochi? Because it is the only chance in the whole life! And because, if they come to Sochi, they will not just get nice volunteer uniform, but also the chance to see their sports idols. The best of the best, chosen through competition, will be involved in a great historical event, which they will remember for their whole lives."

Sochi 2014 partners actively support the start of mass volunteer’s recruitment. Ingosstrakh will insure life of Sochi 2014 volunteers. MegaFon will provide them with mobile connection; the company has also created and supports the volunteer call-centre. BOSCO SPORT will provide the volunteers with uniform for the test events that start in December, 2012, and for the Games correspondingly. Atos has worked out and supports the IT system of volunteer’s management. Rostelecom provides telecommunication services for this system.