Dmitry Chernyshenko,
President, Sochi 2014
Organizing Committee
Dear friends,
There is less than a year to go before the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi! We are one step closer to the grand sporting event that will be an impressive page in Russian history.
Help from volunteers will be key to the success of the 2014 Games. I am very pleased that the invitation from the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee to become a Games volunteers found sincere responses from a large number of people in our country. This means that selflessness and willingness to help is alive in the hearts of Russians.
March 1, 2013 is a landmark day for all volunteers of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi. On this day, we finished accepting applications from potential candidates, and crossed the first line of the selection process for future assistants to the Games. More than 180,000 volunteers from Arkhangelsk to Vladivostok have expressed their desire to go to Sochi in 2014. I thank all those who took the opportunity to prove themselves and wanted to share their knowledge and skills to stage the best Games in Olympic history.
Out of everyone who applied, we will select 25,000: the best of the best, those who share the Olympic values and ideals, can work in a large team and have leadership qualities. Many of you have respectably passed the screening stage, demonstrated communication skills, friendliness, and a willingness to help and solve the most unexpected and challenging tasks. Some people just have to take a test and be interviewed in the Volunteer Centers.
The 26 Volunteer Centers across the country will start training the future assistants to the Games. A special program has been prepared that under the supervision of experienced trainers will develop Olympic skills and provide the knowledge necessary to work effectively in the Games. Our future volunteers await a meeting with like-minded people from all over the country and many colorful and interesting training sessions, after which only fond memories will remain.
I wish you perseverance and persistence in achieving the main objective: becoming a Games volunteer. Show your best qualities, tell us about your volunteer successes and prove that you are worthy of representing Russia in front of the numerous guests to the Games. That is all you need to do to become a part of the best volunteer team in the world: professionals in their fields, natural-born leaders, communicative volunteers with initiative and who lead an active lifestyle.
I express my deep gratitude to all those who joined the Sochi 2014 volunteer team with a willingness to learn, a desire to help, and the opportunity to share their knowledge and skills.
It is you who will create the Olympic and Paralympic Games!
The Games await you! Hot. Cool. Yours!