The Mayor of London Boris Johnson today (July 25^th) announced another major opportunity for Londoners to be a part of the 2012 Games, as he revealed plans to recruit 10,000 adult volunteers to take part in the official opening and closing ceremonies.

Ten thousand enthusiastic, passionate and dedicated volunteers will be sought to join the cast of the official ceremonies that will open and close the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and be watched by hundreds of millions around the world.

Volunteers do not need to be accomplished actors, dancers or singers but must have commitment, passion and lots of energy, as well as the desire to rehearse through wind and rain. Rehearsals for the ceremonies will take place in east London with creative director Danny Boyle, following which the successful candidates will have the opportunity to perform alongside some of the biggest names in British show businesses at the new Olympic Park next summer.

Full details on the application process will be announced shortly.

This is another huge opportunity for Londoners to be a part of the greatest show on earth as the capital proudly presents itself to the world as the 2012 Host City. The recruitment process is already well under way to find 70,000 volunteers to help run the Games and the Mayor is recruiting a further 8,000 London Ambassadors welcome visitors and ensure they get the most out on their stay next summer. These initiatives tap into the enormous volunteering spirit that exists across the capital with well over 150,000 people registering their interest to be part of London 2012.

To ensure that as many Londoners as possible get that chance to take part, the Mayor is also providing free Games tickets for one in every eight London school children, through the 'Get Set' programme operated by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG). It has made 125,000 tickets available to children aged 10 to 18 yrs attending schools that have applied to the programme.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “This is yet another amazing opportunity for Londoners to be right at the heart of the Games. If you are brimming with enthusiasm, passion and have buckets of energy then this is the opportunity for you. In return you will experience something no cheque book can buy – the chance to be part of one of the greatest shows on earth."

Ends

Notes to editors

1. More information on how to apply will be released later in the summer.
2. The Mayor announced these plans whilst he and Sebastian Coe, LOCOG Chair, answered questions on the BBC London's Question Time - Olympic Debate which will be broadcast tonight, July 26^th on BBC One at 7pm.

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