Did you know that we are halfway through to the next summer Olympics? Did you know that Tokyo will organise it in 2020? Most importantly, did you know that you don’t need to be a sportsman/woman to be there and participate? You’ve heard it right! Read on to find out how.
I’ve just looked back at my memories from 2 years ago, and also recently got an email from the International Olympic Committee reminding me of the approaching application period for the 2020 Games, as a VOLUNTEER. Since volunteering at the Rio Olympics was one of my biggest adventures in my life, I thought I’d share how it works and why I’d recommend it for everyone to try out. Maybe you’ll get in the mood of applying for the Tokyo Games at the end? 😉
First of all, I know that 2 years seem crazy long time until the next Olympics, but you have to start the process now. Imagine how many tens of thousands of people worldwide are applying, and all these applications need to be reviewed, interviews have to be conducted, roles need to be allocated according to preferences, skills, qualifications, and the needs of the venues. Then organising the working rota and the trainings for around 70,000 volunteers – all take time.
Four years ago, in 2014, I accidentally came across with an ad while I was browsing on the Internet: it was volunteer application time for the Rio Olympics. I read it and just couldn’t imagine not to do it. So I started the application process immediately, which meant filling in a form online with your personal details, your qualifications, spoken languages, expected length of time that you can volunteer for, if you prefer Olympics or Paralympics, your size for clothes and shoes (for your uniform), and preferences of roles. There is always a wide variety of fields you can choose from: customer service, press and communications, health services, technology, protocol and languages, transport, opening and closing ceremonies, operational support for the Organising Committee, sports events, etc. Then the waiting game started.
Few months later, I had my interview, which was a video call with other candidates. Introduction, motivation, inspirational figure from your country’s Olympic history, and writing a Olympic poem as a group using some key words were the main tasks. By December 2015, I found out that I got accepted, and will be the part of the language services team in the Riocentro and Barra Olympic Park venues, i.e. facilitating conversation between athletes and the media if they don’t speak the same language. After completing the online trainings and finalised my schedules, I flew out on 31st July 2016, allowing enough time to collect my uniform, participate in the face-to-face training, and to settle down in Rio a little bit before the fun part started on 5th August with the opening ceremony.
When I told someone about my volunteering plans at the Games,the first question I got was: “will you get paid for it?” Well…NO…it’s volunteering, you know. “Then why are you doing it?”- was the next very popular question. Seriously? Is it a real question? I couldn’t even understand it at first.
So let me explain now to everyone, especially for those who still feel sceptic about the idea. Travelling to Rio de Janeiro, immersing in the carioca culture, getting access to a free Portuguese language course, participating in the biggest and most prestigious competition of the world and of the whole history, being the part of it, feeling its vibes, seeing the athletes who have been training for this in their whole lives with all their strengths, widening your network of people, making friends with other like-minded volunteers from all over the world, getting a certificate from the International Olympic Committee as appreciation for your work, getting another extracurricular activity in your CV that surely grabs attention…shall I continue? Why wouldn’t I want to do it? Why wouldn’t You want to do it?
Of course, you have to be aware that the cost of the flight and accommodation are not covered, and you have to manage them by yourself (you have 2 years for saving up money), but wouldn’t you do that for your holiday anyway? Then on your ordinary holiday, you wouldn’t get an awesome gear including trousers, T-shirts, a jacket, shoes, socks, a bag, a cap, a water bottle, a rain coat, a watch all with Rio Olympics branding. Moreover, you wouldn’t have free transport in the city, free tickets to some competitions, and you wouldn’t have a magical pass which would allow you to get very close to the happenings and also behind the scenes.
What I gained above all is a lifetime experience by seeing the Olympic Torch relay, meeting athletes and coaches, having the chance to talk to them, having the chance to see the rehearsal of the opening ceremony, making life-long friendships, and all in all, taking my place in the history of the first ever South American Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
You could also have this, so why don’t you get ready and study this page until the application for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 starts in mid-September? There is no age limit, and all people from all countries, from all walks of life are welcome to unite and share the Olympic Spirit, the spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.