London 2012: Olympic Games Maker volunteer offers begin

The first volunteering hopefuls for the London 2012 Olympic Games are being offered roles via email from Wednesday.

Ten thousand of the planned 70,000 Games Makers will be told by Locog that they have a place, subject to checks.

Interviews have taken place throughout 2011 and will continue into 2012, with more volunteers notified each month.

London's organisers want people at the Olympic and Paralympic Games to help with tasks such as ticket checks and helping on the field of play.

A variety of posts also include running information desks, distributing uniform and working in the medical services team.

Among the first to be notified are:

• Nader Mozakka, 55, from north west London, who will help in the athletes' village

• Steve Tarrant, 50, from Dorset, who will be a medal/flower-bearer at the sailing in Weymouth and Portland

• Maggie Hendry, 36, from Dundee, who will work as a physiotherapist at North Greenwich Arena One

• Erin Morgan, 19, from Newry, who will work at Olympic Park

• Charlotte Evans, 31, from Caerleon, who will work at Wimbledon.

Nader Mozakka speaks Persian and will be working with visiting countries' organising committees and athletes in the village, taking time out from his work at the Health Protection Agency.

He said he had not volunteered very much in the past but: "The Olympic Games is so special. Growing up in Iran, I watched and enjoyed the Games.

"I was very excited when I heard today that I'm being given a role. It's the opportunity of a lifetime.

"I've lived in London for the past 25 years and I am looking forward to showing off the city."

Those given a conditional offer from this week will be asked to confirm their acceptance within two weeks, to allow Home Office and CRB checks to be undertaken.

Training for volunteers begins in February 2012. Everyone who has applied for a role will be contacted by 31 December 2011, whether that is to be offered a post, asked for interview or turned down, Locog said.

Locog chair Seb Coe said: "'It has been a privilege for my team to meet and interview so many enthusiastic and dedicated people from right across the UK who would like to volunteer with us and make the Games a success for athletes, media and spectators alike.

"Beginning to make offers of roles this week marks the next stage of the Games Maker programme to put the best possible team together to welcome the world next summer.

"Given the numbers of people involved, conditional offers will be made in several stages and with interviews set to continue until the end of March 2012 there is still plenty of time for applications to progress."

Unsuccessful applicants will be told from November 2011.

In addition, there will be more than 2,000 16 to 18-year-old volunteers. Applications for those roles open on Thursday.

Up to 250,000 people applied to be Games Makers and up to 300 people a day have had 30-minute interviews.

Since applications closed last year, Locog has removed 60,000 incomplete applications. Locog says 50,000 interviews have taken place in nine centres around the UK. Interviews will continue at Excel, London, until March 2012.

Offers will be made at towards the end of 2011, with training to follow in 2012.