With less than a year to go until the Ontario Summer Games come to London, the call is being issued for volunteers.
Approximately 1,000 volunteers will be needed when the competition that pits the province’s top young athletes against one another comes to the city August 2 to 5, 2018.
The organizing committee announced those interested in volunteering can go to the 2018 Summer Games website, www.london2018.ca, and complete a volunteer application. Once recruitment officially begins, people who have signed up to lend a hand will be notified.
The call for volunteers was made during a launch event, signalling the official countdown to the games at TD Stadium on Wednesday. Team Canada pole vaulter Alysha Newman and Team Canada Decathlete Damian Warner, who are both London natives, were on hand for the event.
Also announced was the list of all 21 participating sports including field hockey, archery, mountain biking, road cycling, beach volleyball, softball, sailing, and box lacrosse. For the first time since 2010, athletics has been added to the games.
“We’re thrilled to begin releasing details on the London 2018 Ontario Summer Games," said Bill Merrylees, chair of the London 2018 Ontario Summer Games Host Organizing Committee. "Our committee has been hard at work over the past few months as we work to create the best possible experience for these athletes and their families. London has a great reputation of hosting fantastic sporting events and we hope to add the 2018 Ontario Summer Games to that list.”
Over 3,500 athletes ranging in age from 12 to 18, coaches, and officials will be in the city for the Summer Games. Tourism London director of sport tourism Cheryl Finn had previously indicated hosting the province’s largest multi-sport event will provide a $6-million economic boost to the city.
This is London's fourth time hosting the summer sporting event. The games were held in London in 2004, 1996, and 1975.