Volunteers Recruited for 2010 Vancouver Olympics

Organizers of next year’s Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver are seeking nearly 30,000 volunteers to help mount the event, reports The Seattle Times.

Allen Vansen, who is managing staff operations for the Vancouver Organizing Committee, said the group has received some 60,000 applications online and will begin offering positions this month. Canadians will get first crack at the volunteer duties, such as providing medical services, taking tickets, picking up trash, and escorting athletes.

Mr. Vansen said volunteers must be motivated by a desire to take part in the epic sporting event, not by getting free access to events.

“No one will get to sit there and watch a whole competition,” he said. “They’re going to be running around and pretty busy in their own right.”