Tokyo 2020 Volunteers Begin Training

(ATR) Tokyo 2020 organizers launch the training sessions for 80,000 volunteers for next summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The first of what are called general training sessions for the "Field Cast" volunteers was held on Friday at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Centre in Tokyo, a legacy from the 1964 Games.

"Tokyo 2020 will offer general training programs to help Olympic and Paralympic volunteers gain the basic knowledge they need," Yusuke Sakaue, Tokyo 2020 Vice Director General, said at a press conference on Friday.

"The training consists of three elements, group training, e-learning and textbooks."

Among the topics covered in the opening session were basic rules about volunteer activities, the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, how to interact with people with disabilities, and things to keep in mind when making social media posts.

Around 300 general training sessions will be held at 13 different venues in 11 prefectures throughout Japan through February.

In March, Field Cast members will be given roles for the Games with the specific training sessions beginning in April.

The 80,000 Field Cast (Games) volunteers, were chosen by organizers last month from about 204,000 applicants from inside and outside Japan. They will be at competition venues, the Athletes’ Village and other Games-related facilities providing support including spectator guidance, competition operation and media operation.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government on Friday began training more than 30,000 "City Cast" volunteers. They will be providing assistance to visitors at train stations, airports and areas around competition venues.

Written by Gerard Farek

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