Over 27,500 people apply already for volunteer role at 29th Winter Universiade

The hopeful volunteers come from five continents and fifty countries. The volunteer application process is still open until September. 

It’s not just the top university sportspersons with Siberia in March on their minds: at last count, 27,612 people had applied to be a volunteer at the Krasnoyrask 2019 Winter Universiade, will be held from 2 to 12 March 2019. All told, people from 50 countries have requested to join the Universiade volunteers’ team.

Not surprisingly, most Winter Universiade volunteer applicants are from Russia, followed by candidates from Kazakhstan and the Baltic countries. A host of other countries from Europe and South America, along with Egypt, Singapore, Philippines, India, Turkey, Jamaica, Ghana and Kenya have also submitted their volunteer applications. Over 7,500 hopeful people from outside Russia would like to become volunteers at the Winter Universiade 2019.

 Krasnoyarsk 2019 Winter Universiade volunteers with the event mascot, U-Laika, await the flame from the heart of Siberia

All applicants go through several selection stages, including interview and English language test. In case of successful completion of the selection process, the applicants will be offered positions that meet their competencies and skills. During the Universiade, volunteers will help spectators and participants of the Games in various ways. They will meet delegations at the airport, help spectators navigate around Krasnoyarsk, work as interpreters, and assist during competitions, awarding ceremonies and medical services.

Maxim Urazov, the Director General of this edition of the Winter Universiade said he’s more than encouraged by these numbers. “Our volunteers have a demanding challenge to complete. It is exactly them who give an impression of the whole city and its citizens, create an emotional atmosphere of hospitality and comfort. Each participant and spectator of the Games should know that they can address to volunteers at any moment. I would say that our most valuable resource is open-hearted, positive young people always ready to help.”

Although there are a lot of submitted applications, it is still possible to join the volunteers for the Winter Universiade. In order to do this, one needs to apply at the Universiade website’s section. The volunteer application process will last until September 2018 with the plan to select 5,000 volunteers overall for the Winter Universiade delivery.