To mark International Volunteer Day, Sochi 2014 announced that volunteer applications for the 2014 Games will end on March 1, 2013.
To date there has been more than 140,000 applications from volunteers, and the Organizing Committee has selected more than 80 per cent of the candidates as volunteers for the 2014 Winter Games.
During the 2012-2013 season, five thousand volunteers will attend training by taking part in sports test events in Sochi. They will be working in conditions that closely resemble those at the actual Games.
During the test events volunteers will be provided with items including accommodation, food, clothing and transportation, by the Administration of the Krasnodar Region.
More than 100 volunteers have already worked at the Federation Cup in Figure Skating, the Russia Cup in Bobsled and Skeleton, the Russia Cup in Luge, and the International Training Week in Luge, which took place in Sochi November 5-14, 2012.
Meanwhile sports volunteers are preparing tracks and venues for the competitions, and are helping athletes prepare for the events. General volunteers are meeting and accompanying international sports federation delegations, helping spectators get to the stands, and are also working as translators.
The average age of the Sochi 2014 team is 18-25, but the “silver age” volunteers have also arrived to gain experience.
Dmitry Chernhyshenko, President and CEO of Sochi 2014 said, “we are very proud of our volunteers. They have already proved themselves at the Games in London and at the test events. Now they are going through one of the most complex experiences – the work at the numerous test competitions of the 2012-2013 season, which will become the ‘dress rehearsal’ for the Games in Sochi. I have no doubt that our volunteers will work conscientiously and get a great deal of use experience at the events. The friendly team atmosphere and the Olympic spirit will help them reach their full potential”.
