People who will be aged 18 or over by February 28, 2016 can submit an application online.

The deadline for applications is November 15.

Emails will be sent offering interviews between February 2015 and May 2016.

From June 2015, candidates who passed the interview process will receive letters inviting them to become volunteers at the Rio 2016 Games.

"In person" and online training sessions will be held from November 2015 to June 2016.

Organisers said these session will allow volunteers to "prepare to excel" in their role and "learn about the values promoted at the Games, receiving specific technical training on each task and competition venue".

Everyone picked to be a volunteer will also be offered an online English course.

Accreditations will be issued in July 2016, ahead of the Olympic Games, which is due to begin on August 5, and the Paralympic Games getting underway on September 7.



"Volunteering will benefit you by enriching your CV, expanding your network, and giving you the chance to meet people from different cultures," said Rio 2016.

"You will also be able to enjoy exclusive training courses that will be provided for selected candidates."

Volunteers were first used on a significant scale during the London 1948 Games, but the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics was the first of the modern era to recognise the role formally, with almost 30,000 volunteers taking part.

They play an integral role in the running of a successful Games, with Rio 2016 volunteers set to perform one of an estimated 500 roles.

They include medical roles ,operating scoreboards and translation.

Applicants are being sought from around the world, with up to 5,000 Britons expected to travel to Brazil to play their part.

Volunteers will receive "exclusive gifts" and a certificate saying they have participated, as well as a full uniform and other benefits.

But they will need to fund their own travel to and from Rio de Janeiro, as well as finding, and paying for, their own accommodation.

"The volunteer programme of the Rio 2016 Games will reflect Brazilian diversity; of talents, cultures, ages and interests," said Carlos Arthur Nuzman, President of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee.

"All this diversity will be added to the other thousands of people who will come to Brazil for a greater goal, to participate in the realisation of the largest multisport event in the world with excellence, passion and joy, for the first time in Brazil."

Candidates must be available for 10 days during the Olympic and/or Paralympic Games and be available during each step of the selection process and training sessions, which may take up to three full days.

Of the 70,000 volunteers, 45,000 will be involved in the Olympic Games and 25,000 in the Paralympic Games.