15 reasons why we love Buenos Aires 2018: no. 5 – the volunteers
As the countdown to the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Buenos Aires 2018 continues, we are highlighting 15 reasons to get excited ahead of the 3rd Summer YOG…
The Olympic Games have a long and proud history of volunteering, and the YOG Buenos Aires 2018 will continue the tradition when they deploy 8,000 local and international volunteers in the Argentine capital.
A total of 3,998 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will be in Buenos Aires in October, and the volunteers will be pivotal to the smooth and successful running of the YOG.
“Athletes are at the centre of the Olympic Movement and of the Games,” said Gerardo Werthein, President of the Buenos Aires 2018 Organising Committee. “Volunteers are essential for the Movement and essential for the development of the Youth Olympic Games.”
Registration for potential candidates opened on 5 December to coincide with International Volunteer Day. The deadline for applications is 31 March, with details of the online process available at www.buenosaires2018.com.
Volunteers are essential for the Movement and essential for the development of the Youth Olympic Games Gerardo Werthein President of the Buenos Aires 2018 Organising Committee - Gerardo Werthein President of the Buenos Aires 2018 Organising Committee
A wide variety of positions are available, including roles in spectator assistance, translation services, media relations and working with NOC delegates. Candidates must be aged over 18 on 1 August this year and able to commit to volunteer for 10 days during the YOG.
The YOG Singapore 2010 saw 20,000 volunteers in action, helping make the inaugural Games a huge success. Dubbed the “Purple Army” in reference to the colour of their distinctive uniforms, the vast majority were Singaporean, but there were also 480 overseas volunteers from 61 countries to lend the YOG an international flavour.
Another 20,000 volunteers were an integral part of the YOG Nanjing 2014, as 3,800 athletes from 204 countries competed in 28 different sports. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met some of the volunteers at a gala evening in the city at the end of the YOG and hailed them as the “unsung heroes” of the event.