Madrid is celebrating and thanking everyone on International Volunteer Day who has signed up as a volunteer for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Madrid’s bid has 93 per cent of public support and more than 11,400 volunteers.
Volunteers have been recruited from sponsors, partners, sports federations, cultural and education centres and councils from across the city. Madrid 2016 says that volunteer numbers will exceed the 40,000 people who committed to its bid for the 2012 Summer Games.
Volunteer 16, a program to recruit more members, is already underway in the city and a lot of activity has been planned for the year ahead, said a press release. Madrid is home to more than 190 different nationalities so the bid team is taking part in a diverse range of cultural and sporting events across the city “to harness the passion of people from all ages and social backgrounds. The message at the heart of the 2016 bid is ‘Hola Everyone’, which promotes equality and inclusion in sport” and is also behind the Volunteer 16 program.
Mercedes Coghen, CEO of Madrid 2016 said, “volunteers are an important part of any Olympic Games and we are so lucky in Madrid to have such a high level of support from the public. We want this Olympic Games to include everyone, and both the volunteer numbers and polls demonstrate that the people want it too. Madrid as a city is ready, and the people of Madrid are passionate and ready to give 2016 an unforgettable Games”.
