Wave Wire Services
LOS ANGELES (CNS) — LA28 officials marked the two-year countdown to the opening ceremony of the 2028 Olympic Games by launching applications for a volunteer program and hosting a community cleanup event in Griffith Park.
The event celebrated the opening of applications for the LA28 Volunteer Program, which organizers expect will attract approximately 60,000 volunteers to support the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover and 1984 Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis spoke at the event.
“I know what it means to compete on the world’s biggest stage, and I know firsthand that the magic of the Olympic Games is not just made by the athletes — it is made by the people who show up to support them,” said Lewis, an official ambassador of the LA28 Volunteer Program. “Los Angeles has always shown up for me, and now it’s our turn to show up for the world. If you want to be part of something historic, apply today. The role of a lifetime is waiting.”
“In 2028, the world’s attention will be on L.A. as the world’s best athletes make history, but it’s the crew behind the scenes that help make those moments possible,” Hoover said. Reynold Hoover. “Their impact cannot be overstated — behind every event, every venue and every moment will be the LA28 Volunteer Crew, ready and eager to play a vital role in the delivery of the LA28 Games.”
Applications opening July 14 will cover both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with volunteers expected to commit to a minimum of 10 shifts during their assigned service period.
The Olympic volunteer period will run from March through August 2028, while Paralympic volunteers will serve from August through September 2028.
Volunteer assignments will range from welcoming and assisting spectators and athletes to providing specialized services such as medical support and language translation assistance, officials said.
Most volunteer positions will be based in the Los Angeles region, although organizers said additional volunteers will be needed at Olympic venues in San Diego, San Jose, Oklahoma City, New York, Columbus, Nashville and St. Louis.
“Volunteers are the backbone of the Games,” Hoover said. “They are a friendly face who helps welcome the world, create memorable experiences and bring the Olympic and Paralympic spirit to life.”
The LA28 volunteer program was launched in 2025 and has already supported more than 25 community service projects across the region, including beach, trail and neighborhood cleanups, habitat restoration efforts and food-packing events for residents in need.
Los Angeles will host the Olympic Games for the third time in 2028, following the 1932 and 1984 Summer Games, and will host the Paralympic Games for the first time.
