Unpaid volunteers worth millions to Olympic Games

Rio needs 70,000 unpaid volunteers for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics, and Brazilian Olympic medalist Ricardo Prado is making a pitch with a deadline for signups just three weeks away. They do thousands of jobs - greet fans, escort athletes and give directions around town - and many deliver specialized services. They’re the smiling faces of the host nation, often praised at the opening and closing ceremonies by monarchs, presidents and prime ministers. They also save organizers at least $100 million in salaries - and possibly more.

There is a question to be asked: Is the exchange really even, or is it unequal?

Laurence Chalip, who conducted a study for the IOC on volunteers at the 2000 Sydney Olympics

Every recent Olympic host has a different challenge finding volunteers. Brazil is more like China or Greece. The country lacks a volunteer-philanthropic tradition, partially because of its stark economic inequality. This means the poor can’t afford to work for free. That narrows the pool, leaving the better-off to work without pay. Rio hopes 300,000 will register for the 70,000 available positions. So far only 120,000 have signed up with the deadline looming on Nov. 15.

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