Volunteers who played a vital part in the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are calling on thousands of new applicants to step up for next year’s events.
About 3,000 volunteers are needed to deliver the first hellos and final goodbyes at the 2026 Games and assist athletes at the venue.
The Games take place next year from July 23 to August 2, and applications for volunteering opened on Tuesday.
Volunteers must be at least 16, and full training will be provided.
The 2014 Games brought a party-like atmosphere to the city, welcoming hundreds of thousands of spectators from across the world.
Sarah Quinn, who was 21 when she signed up to volunteer at the 2014 games, ended up carrying the gold medal, which went to the fastest man alive, Usain Bolt.
She told STV News: “That was probably the standout moment for me. The buzz and atmosphere from the Glasgow crowd were just electric at that moment.
“I was like, I just need to try and soak this in, it’s gonna be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“It was just an unreal experience, one that I’ll never forget.”
She added: “I don’t think I’ll be lucky enough to get the same job this time, I’ll probably be on the bins, but no matter what role, I’d be honoured to be part of it once again.”
Despite next year’s game being a more scaled-back version, organisers want to maintain that energy from 2014.
Phil Batty OBE, chief executive of Glasgow 2026, said: “Glasgow’s got a really strong track record with volunteering.
“We saw in 2014 that people came out in their thousands to volunteer, and we will see that again.
“Volunteers can expect to have great new skills, learn new things, meet new people, but also they get the behind-the-scenes view of the games and they know how it all comes together.”
Emily Campbell, a Commonwealth champion, five-time European champion and a double World and Olympic medallist, said: “From an athlete’s perspective, volunteers at major events, like the Commonwealth Games, bring the energy, the friendly faces and the passion that help us perform at our best.
“I’ve been fortunate to have had amazing interactions with volunteers over the years, and I’ve seen how they can truly transform the experience for both athletes and fans.
“Glasgow 2026 is a chance for people from all backgrounds to be part of something special and be right at the heart of the action. If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, now’s the time.”
Volunteer Glasgow and Skills Development Scotland are hosting drop-in sessions to guide people through the application form.
Applications are now open to be a volunteer at Glasgow 2026. For more information, visit www.glasgow2026.com.
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