Colin Jackson, Jonathan Edwards and Denise Lewis mark the opening of the Games Maker applications to the publicUp to 70,000 dedicated and passionate volunteers will be needed to make the Games happen, from athlete escorts to stewards to radio operators.
They will need to give up at least 10 days to volunteer at either the Olympic or Paralympic Games, or 20 days to volunteer at both. Games Makers will also have to commit to attending three training sessions lasting a total of around 15 hours.
Hundreds of thousands of people have already registered their interest in volunteering, with many sharing their enthusiasm on the official Games Maker Facebook page.
Specialist sports, medical, press operations and anti-doping volunteers have been applying since 27 July 2010 and 8,000 applications have been received to date – close to half of the number of specialists required.
The application process will be open until 27 October 2010.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: 'Volunteering with us will be challenging but the rewards are life-long as our London 2012 Games Makers will literally make history happen. We want the best team players in the UK to apply, people who show the same qualities as our athletes including dedication, focus and grace under pressure.
'Whatever your role, you will help welcome the world and show what the UK has to offer. If you have what it takes to be a London Games Maker, apply now!'
Find out more about being a Games Maker
Watch Eddie Izzard's introduction to the Games Maker application process
