Tokyo Olympics committee aiming to recruit 80,000 volunteers

The organizing committee of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Wednesday announced they were looking to recruit some 80,000 volunteers for the event.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old at the time of the Games, and of either Japanese nationality or of foreign nationality with a valid visa to stay in the country during the event, according to a statement by the committee, reports Efe news.

The number of volunteers wanted tops the Rio 2016 Olympics where organizers had selected some 50,000 volunteers, with 35,000 turning up, and London in 2012, where 70,000 collaborated in making the games a success.

The application period will begin on Sep. 26 and continue until December, according to the organization, although the exact date is yet to be made public.

Volunteers will be provided with a uniform, food and insurance, although they will have to pay for their own accommodation and transport if they live outside the capital.

They will be required to carry out various roles, such as in the fields of healthcare, media support and guidance, at the Games village and events venues.

According to a survey by Japan's Sasakawa Sports Foundation, only 23.1 percent of the people surveyed expressed an interest in volunteering, while 60.1 percent said they were not interested.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will be held between Jul. 24 and Aug. 9, and the Paralympic Games will be held between August 25 and September 6.

--IANS

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