More than 2,40,000 apply to be Olympics volunteers

London: Organisers say more than 2,40,000 people have applied to be volunteers at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Applications closed at midnight on Wednesday and organisers will cut the number to 70,000 when interviews take place over a 12-month spell beginning in February next year. Volunteers will either be specialists who work in areas like medical services and sport or press operations, while others will carry out tasks such as distributing uniforms and checking tickets.London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe says he is “thrilled with the response” for a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Organizers say 40 per cent of all applicants have never been volunteers before. Bureau Report