Volunteers prepare to help at Olympics

But all of this could not happen without the help of around 70,000 volunteers from across the country and abroad.

Five members of staff and one councillor from Chichester District Council are six of the thousands of volunteers chosen to help get the Games started. Each one is preparing to give up two weeks of their holiday to help out at the London 2012 Olympics.

Ruth Wells, Project Officer at Chichester District Council, is assisting with Taekwondo. A match will take place every 15 minutes and she will be part of a team that is making sure that each of the 4 days of competition runs smoothly for athletes and officials.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of history. The Games are unlikely to return to this country again in my lifetime and so this is a unique chance to support my chosen sport on the world stage."

Jason Davis, a senior instructor at Westgate Leisure, is helping with time trials and the triathlon.

"My interests are road cycling and triathlons. This is a chance to see super stars race in their particular sport. It's great helping with the Games, because if you can't compete, volunteering is definitely the next best option."

Mike Cooper, Fitness Manager at Westgate Leisure, is also helping with the triathlon and agrees with Jason:

"This is an opportunity to see elite guys at the top of their game. It is a great opportunity to help out at the Olympic Games, because it is unlikely to be held in this country again in my lifetime."

Cllr Clare Apel, will be a translator at Horse Guards Parade, where the beach volleyball will be taking place, and in Weymouth. Her husband encouraged her to volunteer, due to her skills as a leading language volunteer.

Paul Over, Executive Director of Support Services and the Economy at Chichester District Council is helping with Basketball. Paul, who used to play Basketball, sees this as a great opportunity to support a sport that he loves on the world stage.

Finally, Lauren Smith, an Environmental Health Officer, will be a Team Leader looking after food safety in the Olympic Park.

The Olympic Torch Relay will be visiting the Chichester District on Monday 16 July. Residents are encouraged to come out and support the torchbearers within the seven communities that the Torch is visiting within the Chichester District. The rest of the time, the Torch will be travelling in a vehicle to the next community. It will visit Rogate, Midhurst, Easebourne, Tillington, Petworth, Duncton and Chichester. A map with times and top tips for the day will be published in Chichester District Council's initiatives magazine, which will be delivered during the week Monday 18 June.

Date: 13 June 2012

Reference: 3121