Volunteering at the Games

[AustralianFan]

❤ Volunteers at the Games 

The friendly, warm Volunteers at each Games play a major role in keeping things running smoothly, like a well oiled machine.

What are your thoughts and experiences around Volunteering?

[AustralianFan]

@baron-pierreIV

 

6 hours ago, baron-pierreIV said:

This issue of "volunteering" really depends on what and how "unpaid labor" is defined in the cities/provinces & municipalities where these events take place.  For California, it's become VERY complicated.  At what point when you pay even for less than 40 hours/week labor -- do you provide ALL the OTHER benefits of full-time employment -- health benefits?  Paid vacation? Disability, etc. when these are "limited tenure jobs."  And then if you pay the workers, employment taxes have to be taken out, etc., etc. 

And the paid "volunteers" will also have to DECLARE their income taxes; and if you are a non-US citizen, do you really want to go thru that?  And this is why cruise-ship workers (or those with direct contact with the passengers) are paid really low wages but get to keep their "tips" whole and, I think now, Frump will allow these tips NOT having to be declared and file taxes upon.  Altho I think the unrecorded tips have to be shared with the other workers on the ship.)  

Then there is the "gig" rule passed for overly greedy Uber drivers a few years ago.  I was making good extra money as an interpreter for school systems when that STUPID law was passed; and if I wanted to continue, I had to get certification costing nearly $900.  So, I said F*CK these greedy Uber drivers.  They know theirs is only seasonal P/T work.  So I just lost a little extra pocket $ (but something else came up -- so no sweat for me) -- but it's the free-lance musicians in California that have felt the most negative impact from the elevation of those P/T jobs to "ones w/ FULL benefits" -- even if the worker is not putting in a full 40 hrs/week.

Thus, I think for LA28, VOLUNTEERING will stay purely NO PAY becuz even paying a few cents changes the whole picture!  Once you are on the payroll, even for ONE RED CENT, the piper must be paid.  It's going to be TONS of bookkeeping even for just a few $$ and cents.  And then those records & figures will have to be audited some time, etc., etc., 

As such, it is no longer VOLUNTEERING.  

 

[AustralianFan]

A memorable amazing life-changing experience

I was a Games Volunteer Team Leader at Athens 2004 Mens and Womens Triathlon, media access volunteer on the field of play at the start/finish of the Cycling Road Taces and Time Trials.

I only speak English which actually oddly was a big help in being placed in prime positions.

We were not paid but did receive tickets to the Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal (where a mentally unwell woman leapt from the rehearsal audience during the parade of nations practice and attacked DJ Tiesto screaming “Devil music, Devil music” - security took a while to react but she was eventually subdued and dragged off screaming).

As Volunteers we received full uniforms and accreditation.  Apart from the Dress Rehearsal of the Opening Ceremony, we didn’t receve tickets to any other events but I had already long purchased bought my own tickets to some events once I knew my Volunteer Events program. I bought tix to the actual Opening Ceremony, gymnastics prelims and equestrian prelims.  Randomly on a crowded train to the OC dress rehearsal, I bought Monday night swimming finals ticket at original games purchase price value off another volunteer who I was chatting to and who couldn’t go - so got to see Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps win gold each.  Stunning open air stadium atmosphere on a hot night.

During my volunteering events, on very hot days as it was every day, meals and regular cold food and beverage refreshment were dropped-off to us by other volunteers on motorbikes and also we had access to a secure nearby rest and relaxation area with free food and drinks at the finish line of the Road Race and Time Trial races during breaks.  Also was lucky to see up close Aussie Sarah Kerrigan win Gold in the Womens Road Race. The next day when the Italian won the Mens Road Race, a press pack locked me in against the barrier right next to the Gold Medallist as he spoke to them after the Medal Ceremony.  I’ve never seen that interview to this day, as much as I’ve tried searching for it.

I was one of only two volunteers allowed on the field of play at the Road Races start/finish line and was priveliged to work with the beautiful Telar (can’t recall her surname), a former Canadian Olympic cyclist and we had a ball.  

I paid for my return airfares from Perth, Western Australia to and from Greece and arrved six days before the Games. Accommodation we each paid for through a website where landlords could register if they wanted to offer their houses or apartments to accredited Games Volunteers for a modest rent sharing with other volunteers - which I duly did at Neas Smyrni square - inner suburban Athens.

The landlords were a married couple who were both doctors and were amazing, cooking me a meal, glass of wine and sweets when I arrived exhausted from the airport and checking up on me regularly during the Games.  I was alone (at first) but shared their unfurnished air conditioned 2-bedroon apartment with two Volunteer couples from Spain and China.   

Each day we got free public transport with our accreditation to our volunteer events but despite the very early shift start times, I bounced out of bed buzzing and excited - until I got home each night and barely had the strength to shower.

6 days before the Opening Cereminy, I arrived in Athens and in the apartment set-up camp with my own blow-up mattress on the bare loungeroom floor as the sole air con unit was in there.  I also and rented a very small refrigerator, which I shared with the other volunteers and I also bought a small electric kettle with me from Singapore en route to Athens. I also rented a small tv which I barely used as no English channels broadcast locally during the Athens 2004 Games which was very odd I thought.  

I was comfortable enough camping on the floor in the unfurnished Athens apartment and we all got along.  I always left the air con on all night so it could keep the bedrooms cool for the others who kept their doors open for relief from the heat.  I actually had to sleep rugged up in full clothes inside my sleeping bag to stay warm as I was freezing cold otherwise with sole air con unit above me on full blast so it was cool enough to reach the other two rooms with volunteers.  It was crazy hot outside so I always chuckled at how contradictory the situation was inside for me when sleeping and having to rug up in full clothes inside a sleeping bag to stay warm enough inside the freezing apartment night after night - but we made it work.

One night I arrived home exhausted (but happy) to find a mess caused by the two Chinese volunteers had put instant noodles in the electric kettle to cook them.  They apologised as they mistook the kettle for some sort of food cooking device.

At one point I became sick and a Volunteer Medical Centre was set-up behind the Olympic Family Hotel (The Hilton) who took great care of me and had me back on my feet in a few days.

During the Games, I met lots of other local and international Volunteers and officials and had a ball - it was magic.  I also met my life partner, a tall Greek man from Athens who lives with me in Melbourne to this day.  

At the end if the Games, Volunteers were gifted a Games watch and some merchandise and got to keep our uniforms and bum bags.

I applied to be a Volunteer at Beijing 2008 but never received back a result of my application, only the Application acknowkedgement email - that’s it.     Undeterred, I applied again a few weeks later to be a Beijing 2008 Volunteer and again heard nothing back.  Rude! 

For LA2028 and Brisbane 2032 Volunteering, I’m still thinking about it but my company as major sponsor of the Australian Olympic Team may run again an embedded Volunteer position in the Athletes Village working for the Austrlian Olympic Committee, like it was for Tokyo 2020 before the pandemic shut down that program down.

[AustralianFan]

18 minutes ago, AustralianFan said:

 

❤ Volunteers at the Games 

The friendly, warm Volunteers at each Games play a major role in keeping things running smoothly, like a well oiled machine.

What are your thoughts and experiences around Volunteering?

@Victorian  @Bear@TorchbearerSydney

 

[AustralianFan]

 

2 minutes ago, Sir Rols said:

That was a really wonderful volunteer’s-eye-view of the experience. Thank you.

I don’t know about transferring the discussion, though. The new thread loses a lot of the very interesting debates and points that have already been  going on in this one. Sure, it’s off topic, but there’s no other use for a live chat thread now. It’s good wherever we can get discussions and debates flowing, rather than cutting them off to force them elsewhere and losing the flow.

[AustralianFan]

I know @Victorian you were keen on volunteering at Milano Cortina 2026.  Did you make it over there?  
 

@Bear I’ve only just looked up today the link to Volunteering at LA2028 .  Are you thinking of applying?
 

 

[AustralianFan]

@Tejas57 are you thinking of Volunteering or working at Brisbane 2032?

[Tejas57]

1 hour ago, AustralianFan said:

are you thinking of Volunteering or working at Brisbane 2032?

yep. hopefully i can get a paid role but if not i'm def volunterring

[AustralianFan]

6 minutes ago, Tejas57 said:

yep. hopefully i can get a paid role but if not i'm def volunterring

Awesome, might see you there.

[intoronto]

I would definitely recommend.  I volunteered at the 2018 Winter Olympics and it was a great experience. The Organizing Committee did more than others, including paying for accommodations, so it was easier on the wallet. 

[Bear]

6 hours ago, AustralianFan said:

@Bear I’ve only just looked up today the link to Volunteering at LA2028 .  Are you thinking of applying?

Hey, thank you for sharing your Athens 2004 story! It was a great read, especially as someone who plans on applying for LA28 

While I wait for the Games-time volunteering application to open later this year, I've signed up for their pre-Games volunteering program so hopefully I can get involved beforehand. My university also appears to be planning an on-campus volunteer hub (not sure exactly what it'll entail) so I'll also be checking that when it comes into existence 

Utah 2034 will also be another great chance, so we'll see how things are going by then...

[AustralianFan]

3 hours ago, Bear said:

Hey, thank you for sharing your Athens 2004 story! It was a great read, especially as someone who plans on applying for LA28 

While I wait for the Games-time volunteering application to open later this year, I've signed up for their pre-Games volunteering program so hopefully I can get involved beforehand. My university also appears to be planning an on-campus volunteer hub (not sure exactly what it'll entail) so I'll also be checking that when it comes into existence 

Utah 2034 will also be another great chance, so we'll see how things are going by then...

That’s awesome @Bear

Two home Games to volunteer at.

 

[AustralianFan]

6 hours ago, intoronto said:

I would definitely recommend.  I volunteered at the 2018 Winter Olympics and it was a great experience. The Organizing Committee did more than others, including paying for accommodations, so it was easier on the wallet. 

That’s great. Sounds like a fantastic experience and that they paid for accommodation too which must have been a real bonus and a great relief.

[AustralianFan]

18 hours ago, AustralianFan said:

 

A memorable amazing life-changing experience

I was a Games Volunteer Team Leader at Athens 2004 Mens and Womens Triathlon, media access volunteer on the field of play at the start/finish of the Cycling Road Taces and Time Trials.

I only speak English which actually oddly was a big help in being placed in prime positions.

We were not paid but did receive tickets to the Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal (where a mentally unwell woman leapt from the rehearsal audience during the parade of nations practice and attacked DJ Tiesto screaming “Devil music, Devil music” - security took a while to react but she was eventually subdued and dragged off screaming).

As Volunteers we received full uniforms and accreditation.  Apart from the Dress Rehearsal of the Opening Ceremony, we didn’t receve tickets to any other events but I had already long purchased bought my own tickets to some events once I knew my Volunteer Events program. I bought tix to the actual Opening Ceremony, gymnastics prelims and equestrian prelims.  Randomly on a crowded train to the OC dress rehearsal, I bought Monday night swimming finals ticket at original games purchase price value off another volunteer who I was chatting to and who couldn’t go - so got to see Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps win gold each.  Stunning open air stadium atmosphere on a hot night.

During my volunteering events, on very hot days as it was every day, meals and regular cold food and beverage refreshment were dropped-off to us by other volunteers on motorbikes and also we had access to a secure nearby rest and relaxation area with free food and drinks at the finish line of the Road Race and Time Trial races during breaks.  Also was lucky to see up close Aussie Sarah Kerrigan win Gold in the Womens Road Race. The next day when the Italian won the Mens Road Race, a press pack locked me in against the barrier right next to the Gold Medallist as he spoke to them after the Medal Ceremony.  I’ve never seen that interview to this day, as much as I’ve tried searching for it.

I was one of only two volunteers allowed on the field of play at the Road Races start/finish line and was priveliged to work with the beautiful Telar (can’t recall her surname), a former Canadian Olympic cyclist and we had a ball.  

I paid for my return airfares from Perth, Western Australia to and from Greece and arrved six days before the Games. Accommodation we each paid for through a website where landlords could register if they wanted to offer their houses or apartments to accredited Games Volunteers for a modest rent sharing with other volunteers - which I duly did at Neas Smyrni square - inner suburban Athens.

The landlords were a married couple who were both doctors and were amazing, cooking me a meal, glass of wine and sweets when I arrived exhausted from the airport and checking up on me regularly during the Games.  I was alone (at first) but shared their unfurnished air conditioned 2-bedroon apartment with two Volunteer couples from Spain and China.   

Each day we got free public transport with our accreditation to our volunteer events but despite the very early shift start times, I bounced out of bed buzzing and excited - until I got home each night and barely had the strength to shower.

6 days before the Opening Cereminy, I arrived in Athens and in the apartment set-up camp with my own blow-up mattress on the bare loungeroom floor as the sole air con unit was in there.  I also and rented a very small refrigerator, which I shared with the other volunteers and I also bought a small electric kettle with me from Singapore en route to Athens. I also rented a small tv which I barely used as no English channels broadcast locally during the Athens 2004 Games which was very odd I thought.  

I was comfortable enough camping on the floor in the unfurnished Athens apartment and we all got along.  I always left the air con on all night so it could keep the bedrooms cool for the others who kept their doors open for relief from the heat.  I actually had to sleep rugged up in full clothes inside my sleeping bag to stay warm as I was freezing cold otherwise with sole air con unit above me on full blast so it was cool enough to reach the other two rooms with volunteers.  It was crazy hot outside so I always chuckled at how contradictory the situation was inside for me when sleeping and having to rug up in full clothes inside a sleeping bag to stay warm enough inside the freezing apartment night after night - but we made it work.

One night I arrived home exhausted (but happy) to find a mess caused by the two Chinese volunteers had put instant noodles in the electric kettle to cook them.  They apologised as they mistook the kettle for some sort of food cooking device.

At one point I became sick and a Volunteer Medical Centre was set-up behind the Olympic Family Hotel (The Hilton) who took great care of me and had me back on my feet in a few days.

During the Games, I met lots of other local and international Volunteers and officials and had a ball - it was magic.  I also met my life partner, a tall Greek man from Athens who lives with me in Melbourne to this day.  

At the end if the Games, Volunteers were gifted a Games watch and some merchandise and got to keep our uniforms and bum bags.

I applied to be a Volunteer at Beijing 2008 but never received back a result of my application, only the Application acknowkedgement email - that’s it.     Undeterred, I applied again a few weeks later to be a Beijing 2008 Volunteer and again heard nothing back.  Rude! 

For LA2028 and Brisbane 2032 Volunteering, I’m still thinking about it but my company as major sponsor of the Australian Olympic Team may run again an embedded Volunteer position in the Athletes Village working for the Austrlian Olympic Committee, like it was for Tokyo 2020 before the pandemic shut down that program down.

 

4 hours ago, PikyoK said:

Thank you for writing this! I've always wanted to know what volunteering at the Olympic Games is like

It’s a pleasure @PikyoK.  Being involved in an Olympic Games as a Volunteer is truly an uplifting experience and I highly recommend it.

[AustralianFan]

 

On 2/24/2026 at 7:27 PM, StefanMUC said:

If there’s enough people who want to do the work for free, fine. 

But at least also provide accomodation for free to them - instead they had to organise it themselves, which I find disgraceful. OK, they still applied under those conditions, but providing a bed for them should be the minimal “perk” here.

@StefanMUC yes that would have helped a great deal.    @intoronto’s very positve experience at the 2018 PeyongChang Olympic Winter Games shows it can be done where accommodation was provided much to the relief of Volunteers.

 

On 2/24/2026 at 7:32 PM, Sir Rols said:

Okay, yes indeed. I didn’t realise they didn’t get accomodation. I agree that should be a minimum perk.

 

On 2/24/2026 at 7:38 PM, baron-pierreIV said:

Re providing accommodation -- then the COJO will have to get involved in granular minutiae.  That exposes them to things like -- why, Volunteer X is getting better accommodations than me.  Why is that?  It all depends on the COJO and really, if it is communities where many safe and comfortable beds are readily available. 

Now that AIRB&B is a TOP sponsor, they are probably helping out in this regard -- I guess?? 

But then as LA28 says: (1) they are not responsible for solving the "homeless situation;" and (2) even for the paid staff jobs, they state at THE VERY TOP - LA28 is not responsible for any relocation costs.  

 

On 2/25/2026 at 1:15 AM, Rob2012 said:

It wouldn't add an awful lot more to the average OCOG expenditure to pay volunteers. Then again, I don't feel a particular need to crusade about this.

I have a bigger problems when OCOGs have, for example, a public competition for their logos rather than paying actual designers.

I suppose in both cases you're seeing a hugely rich organisation sponsored by global brands, cosplaying to save a bit of cash. But in one at least it's communal and isn't undermining/devaluing talented people.

@Rob2012 not sure if the Games will ever evolve into Volunteers transitioning into being part of the paid workforce.

1 hour ago, baron-pierreIV said:

It all depends on the hand you're dealt with; the circumstances you end up with -- and I think, one's overall attitude to whatever situation you end up getting assigned to.  And each COJO doles out its "freebies & perks for the volunteers" differently.  

AustralianFan had a good experience at Athens 2004 and I can sense his attitude played a big part in making it worthwhile for him.  (I probably would've collapsed due to Athens' heat.  The 3-4 days I was in Athens in late June, 2010 (split up into 2 portions -- as I took a few days' outside-Athens tour then, the heat was JUST unbelievable -- not in a good way.  That it was a little dry made it somewhat bearable.)  

@baron-pierreIV thankyou. Yes it would be interesting if Olympic sponsor Airbnb actually provide, or not, any help or financial incentives and/or discounts to assist out-of-town or international accredited volunteers with accommodation (?).

[PikyoK]

On 2/26/2026 at 4:55 AM, AustralianFan said:

 

It’s a pleasure @PikyoK.  Being involved in an Olympic Games as a Volunteer is truly an uplifting experience and I highly recommend it.

I've loved the Olympics since I was very little, and I wouldn't mind becoming one for Brisbane 2032 and perhaps the future editions too.

[AustralianFan]

1 hour ago, PikyoK said:

I've loved the Olympics since I was very little, and I wouldn't mind becoming one for Brisbane 2032 and perhaps the future editions too.

That’s awesome @PikyoK ❤️.  Being in an Olympic City during the Games is so exciting and addictive.

[Victorian]

On 2/25/2026 at 10:06 AM, AustralianFan said:

I know @Victorian you were keen on volunteering at Milano Cortina 2026.  Did you make it over there?  
 

@Bear I’ve only just looked up today the link to Volunteering at LA2028 .  Are you thinking of applying?
 

 

Didn’t get selected for either Milano Cortina or Glasgow to much disappointment….

[AustralianFan]

8 hours ago, Victorian said:

Didn’t get selected for either Milano Cortina or Glasgow to much disappointment….

I’m sorry to hear that @Victorian, it must have been very disappointing.

How about LA2028?