7,000 volunteer for Beijing Olympics

More than 7,000 equestrian volunteer applications have already been received for the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events (9 – 24 August, 6 – 12 September 2008). The organisers of the Olympic equestrian events, which are to be held at Sha Tin and Sheung Shui in Hong Kong, plan to recruit about 1,800 volunteers.

Although the deadline for applications is not until December 2007, 750 applicants have already been interviewed for ‘leader volunteer’ positions and the first 100 will be notified late next week. ‘General volunteers’ will be selected at various stages over the coming months.

The BEF has received a lot of interest from potential British volunteers. “A large number of people have applied,” said a spokesperson, “there is a strong culture of volunteering in this country – people make a career out of it.”

Medical, management, communications and public relations roles are open to general volunteers and applicants can select their preference on the application form. They will need to be available for a minimum of seven days during the Olympics as well as for residential training courses in Hong Kong beforehand and a test event (9 – 24 August 2007). The first residential training session will be held in March this year.

For more information or to apply to be at volunteer for Beijing 2008 visit www.equestrian2008.org. Meanwhile those wishing to volunteer for the London 2012 Olympics can register their interest at http://www.london2012.org/en/gettinginvolved/Volunteer_Form.htm

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