Show 2002 Winter Games Need Volunteers By Roxanne Reading Contributing Writer It is estimated that operations for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games will require the help of approximately vo volunteers in inthe the pre-Games pre preparation About to volunteers volunteers volunteers volun volun- will be needed during the Games and approximately volunteers in March for the Winter Games Thirty-five Thirty hundred athletes and officials from 80 National Olympic Committees are anticipated to take part in the Winter Games One thousand athletes and officials officials dials from 35 countries are anticipated anticipated anticipated antici antici- to take part in the Winter Games With the large number of athletes athletes athletes ath ath- letes officials and visitors an estimated estimated estimated esti esti- mated volunteers will be needed to help stage the Games I f Ed Eynon Salt Lake Olympic Committee senior vice president of human resources said Community involvement in th the e Olympic Movement can take man many y shapes and forms and volunteering will require a significant commit ment Frank Zang director of communications communications communications for the Winter Games said they plan to launch a volunteer program program program pro pro- gram before the Games in mid- mid November Specific skills will be given priority priority priority in the areas of language medical medical medical med med- ical sports and technical Geo Geo- graphic proximity to toI I the event site as well as previous volunteer experience will also be considered Areas in which volunteer work willbe will willbe willbe be needed include ceremonies information information information tion system medical sports ticketing and tr transportation The criteria for volunteering for tl e Olympic Winter Games include 18 years of age and older Available to work the entire Games period Available to work minimum shifts of eight hours Attend training sessions prior to the Games Garnes period Willingness to work in assigned area and demonstrate teamwork Willingness to work under inclement or extreme weather conditions conditions conditions con con- Volunteers will work the entire day 17 event and the day 10 Para Para- Games Seventeen days for anybody is isan isan isan an enormous drain Most of us have trouble getting through five days stated Jim Burns a member for the board of the Utah Nonprofit Asso Asso- Training programs for the Olympic Winter Games will begin in early 2001 This will give each volunteer time to feel they know what they are supposed to do and feel comfortable and confident they are doing their job correctly I think it would be fun to help out with the 2002 Winter Olympic Games said Amy McNeil an Some people in Utah may not support the Olympics Were beyond that point They're coming Governor Mike Leavitt It is a once in a lifetime opportunity opportunity opportunity and everyone should want to be involved with The has come up with an incentive plan for volunteer work The volunteers will receive a certificate of participation tion a special lapel pin a a watch two tickets for forthe forthe forthe the dress rehearsal of opening ceremonies ceremonies' and andi anda I i a volunteer uniform Some people fn in n Utah may not support the Olympics Were We're beyond that point They're coming coming coming com com- ing said Gov Mike Leavitt We will make them a resounding success success suc suc- cess this will stretch us but we will be a better state as a result if we look good on television and impress the world But if our people people peo peo- pie feel no part of this it will be a hollow victory In a current polls less than half of dont don't want to be involved with the Games A bulk of the poll fj respondents said they dont don't know enough about plans for the Games and felt feIt the wasn't doing enough to get the public involved The Winter Games will commence February 24 2002 and every Olympic host is to think of a atheme atheme theme of their Games decided decided decided ed three things described the 2002 games The theme of or the Olympic Winter Games is composed of three elements Contrast Culture and i Courage Contrast is symbolic of Utah's landscapes from the arid desert io to the snowcapped moun moun- Culture represents the spirit of the athletes at the true essence of the Games Tom Welch former president of the SLOe said The Games are an opportunity to showcase not only Utah but the entire nation to approximately two-thirds two of the world population via television |