Tokyo 2020 Volunteers
More than 110,000 volunteer roles in total are expected as part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. This number includes 80,000 roles for Games Volunteers, 30,000 roles for City Volunteers recruited by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and a number of volunteer opportunities through other local municipalities hosting competitions during the Games. The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) will be accepting applications for Games volunteers.
City Volunteers will be recruited by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and other local municipalities hosting the competitions separately.
Summary of the Games Volunteer Application Guidelines
Games volunteers will be directly involved in assisting Games’ operations before, during and after the Tokyo 2020 Games, and will be expected to play an active role in helping to create a positive and exciting atmosphere, thus contributing to the overall success of the Games.
It is essential that we involve a diverse range of people working towards the realisation of a successful Games, regardless of age, gender, nationality or the presence or absence of an impairment.
Games volunteers will be the public face of the Tokyo 2020 Games and will play an indispensable role in the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Tokyo 2020 requires potential volunteers who are passionate about contributing to the success of the Games. You must enjoy working together as part of a team with others involved in the Games, be keen to gain a once-in-a-lifetime experience of being part of the operations of the world’s greatest sporting event, and be eager to play a key role in creating a positive and exciting Games atmosphere.
Details of the Summary of the Games Volunteer Application Guidelines (which was published on 28 March 2018) are shown below. The actual guidelines will be published at the end of July 2018.
Number of Games Volunteer Opportunities
80,000
Eligible Applicants
- Born prior to 1 April 2002
- Able to participate in all training sessions designated by Tokyo 2020
- Japanese national or person with valid visa permitting residence in Japan during the volunteer period (temporary visitors included)
- Able to serve at least ten days before, during or after the Games
- Enthusiastic, committed, and genuinely desire to contribute to the success of the Tokyo 2020 Games
- Able to work with a diverse team and treat team members with respect
Recruitment Period
Period 1: Mid-September through early December 2018
Period 2: A second round of recruitment may be held for volunteers performing certain roles (2019)
Method
Applications will be submitted online.
The detailed application is currently being prepared and will be made available on the Tokyo 2020 website.
The volunteer website and application will be accessible as per Tokyo 2020 Accessibility Guidelines.
Applicant Categories
Individuals only
Schedule
Date | Description |
---|---|
Late Jul. 2018 | Publication of Recruitment Guidelines |
Mid-Sep. to early Dec. 2018 | Applications accepted |
Jan. to around Jul. 2019 | Notification of interviews and briefings |
From Feb. 2019 | Interviews and briefings |
From Oct. 2019 | General training |
From Mar. 2020 | Assignment of roles and notification of venues (jobs) |
From Apr. 2020 | Role-specific and leadership training |
From May 2020 | Uniform distribution |
From Jun. 2020 | Venue-specific training |
Notifications will be sent as Tokyo2020 screens applications.
Interviews and Briefings: Once per person
The interview and briefing location can be selected at the time of application. After receiving an interview/briefing notification, the desired date can be selected from the following:
Location1 | Dates (Planned) | Comments |
---|---|---|
In Tokyo | Feb.-May 2019 | 5 days per week |
Outside Tokyo2 | Apr.-Jul. 2019 | 2 days per region |
Overseas | Planned for 2019 | Via video call conference |
Generic Training: Once per person
The location can be selected at the time of application. The date can be selected from the following after receiving a notification of training.
Location1 | Dates (Planned) | Comments |
---|---|---|
In Tokyo | Oct. 2019 to Feb. 2020 | 5 days per week |
Outside Tokyo3 | Nov. 2019 to Jan. 2020 | 2 days per region |
In Tokyo(Overseas) | From Jun. 2020 | Details pending |
1 Actual locations will be notified separately.
2 Hokkaido, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Shizuoka, Aichi, Osaka, Fukuoka (possibly others)
3 Actual locations pending
Fields of Activity and Target Numbers
Numbers are estimates as of March 2018 and may change according to ongoing planning.
The expected roles will be among of those described below.
Up to three preferences for fields may be selected, but fulfilment of requests is not guaranteed.
Field | Key Roles / Description |
---|---|
Any | Participation as a Games Volunteer for any role or activity |
Guidance |
Target No. 16,000 to 25,000 |
Events | Supporting competition operation at the competition venues and training venues. Target No. 15,000 to 17,000 |
Mobility Support(driving, etc.) | Driving vehicles to transport Games participants between venues comfortably and safely. Target No. 10,000 to 14,000 |
Personal Support |
Target No. 8,000 to 12,000 |
Operational Support |
Target No. 8,000 to 10,000 |
Healthcare |
Target No. 4,000 to 6,000 |
Technology |
Target No. 2,000 to 4,000 |
Media |
Target No. 2,000 to 4,000 |
Ceremonies | Guiding athletes and other Games participants at awards ceremonies and supporting the management of medals and mementos. Target No. 1,000 to 2,000 |
Duration of Activities
About 8 hours per day during pre-Games preparations and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Actual shift lengths depend on event schedules, activities, activity sites, etc.
Pre-Games preparations are expected to begin in April 2020.
Shift lengths may be extended after the Games for certain activities and activity sites.
Volunteers are expected to serve at least 10 days (not necessarily consecutively), or at least 20 days if volunteering for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Items to be provided
- Uniform
- Food and beverages
- Insurance specific to the volunteer activity
Volunteers must cover the cost of travel to Tokyo (or other host cities).
Volunteers must secure their own accommodation and cover any associated costs.
Registration and Cancellation
All those recruited will be registered as Tokyo 2020 Games Volunteers candidates.
Registration may be cancelled if a volunteer becomes unable to participate in training, engages in any action that harms the image of Tokyo 2020, hinders teamwork, disturbs Games participants or spectators, or for other violations of the workforce code of conduct.
Volunteer Strategy for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020
The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government have put together a collection of basic concepts which will guide the recruitment and training of volunteers for the Tokyo 2020 Games. You can access it via the following link: