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≡ VOLUNTEER PROGRAM OPENS ≡
One of the unexpected, but most lasting legacies of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles was the use of volunteers as the primary workforce. Unquestioned inside the organizing committee, which already appreciated the deep, existing volunteer ethos long a part of Los Angeles civic life, the attentiveness, enthusiasm and efficiency of the 33,500 volunteers who supported the 1984 Games stunned the Olympic athletes, officials, visitors and especially the International Olympic Committee.
Volunteers have been a crucial part of the Games and every major international sporting event ever since.
On Thursday, the LA28 organizers announced the opening of registration for its 2028 volunteer program – sponsored by Delta Airlines – with the following parameters:
● “Registration is open now for community volunteering. Submit the form below to let us know you’re interested, and you’ll be notified when opportunities become available. Registering does not guarantee a spot.”
● “Community volunteer events kick off in fall 2025 and registered volunteers will be invited to participate via email as opportunities become available.”
● “Games-time volunteering applications will open in the summer of 2026. You don’t need to volunteer in the community to apply for Games-time roles, but early involvement is encouraged.”
The registration process is brief: just six questions, with no personal information other than your name and an e-mail address.
The program comes with a special LA28 emblem featuring an “A” that depicts people working together.
LA28 chief executive Reynold Hoover has talked about the community impact of the LA28 organizing effort in the aftermath of the January wildfires in the area and how the volunteer effort can be extended into the pre-Games period. He added in Thursday’s announcement:
“We are not waiting until 2028 to tap into Los Angeles’ resilience, generosity and grit. This unique initiative channels the spirit of volunteerism long before the Opening Ceremony, and we have the chance to create a model for future Host Cities, as well as a legacy for Los Angeles and the Games.
“Our hope is that this program can be a catalyst for Angelenos to give back to the city they love, unite across communities and help build a stronger city together.”
According to the announcement:
“Launched earlier than standard Games timelines, the LA28 Volunteer Program will support meaningful causes for the surrounding region and will set an elevated benchmark for community engagement while inspiring broader participation and driving lasting impact across the region.”
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The Paris 2024 experience is instructive, as it was a great success both in terms of interest, but also in performance:
● 311,351 applications to volunteer in 7 weeks in 2023
● 283,375 public applications; 27,976 from recruitment efforts
● France (134,541), Mexico (13,193) and U.S. (10,177) applied most
● 41,189 volunteers: 34,879 Olympic; 15,823 for Paralympics
● 143 nations represented in the actual volunteer corps
● 60% of Paralympic volunteers were Olympic volunteers
The Paris organizers used both in-person and online training programs to get volunteers ready, beginning in late 2023 but mostly in 2024.
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