Latest news : Olympics volunteering

The London 2012 Olympics volunteer recruitment website has been launched offering up to 70,000 dedicated and passionate volunteers the chance to help make the Games happen, from athlete escorts to stewards to radio operators.

You will need to give up at least 10 days to volunteer at either the Olympic or Paralympic Games, or 20 days to volunteer at both. Games Makers will also have to commit to attending three training sessions lasting a total of around 15 hours. 

Although volunteers won’t be paid for their services, you will receive meal vouchers during your working shifts and it will be a great way to build up some work experience to add to a CV. 

Hundreds of thousands of people have already registered their interest in volunteering, with many sharing their enthusiasm on the official Games Maker Facebook page. Specialist sports, medical, press operations and anti-doping volunteers have been applying since 27 July 2010 and 8,000 applications have been received to date – close to half of the number of specialists required.

Some of the teams will need fewer than 50 volunteers and others will require thousands of Games Makers. All of the departments are looking for volunteers from diverse backgrounds and communities from all over the UK.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: 'Volunteering with us will be challenging but the rewards are life-long as our London 2012 Games Makers will literally make history happen. We want the best team players in the UK to apply, people who show the same qualities as our athletes including dedication, focus and grace under pressure.

‘Whatever your role, you will help welcome the world and show what the UK has to offer. If you have what it takes to be a London Games Maker, apply now!'

LOCOG (The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) will start to invite short-listed candidates for selection events in January next year and successful volunteers will be notified towards the end of 2011

To be eligible for the current crop of roles as a Games Maker at London 2012 you must be 18 or older on 1 January 2012 and have the legal right to be a volunteer in the UK. Next summer, London 2012 will start to recruit under-18s for their Young Games Maker Programme.

To volunteer visit Olympics 2012 volunteering  The application process will be open until 27 October 2010.