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The games will be played, but the workers won’t be paid.
Whistleblowers across the world wide web are wailing in outrage against LA28, the nonprofit organizing committee overseeing the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, which is seeking a staggering 60,000 volunteers to perform unpaid labor during the international sporting spectacular.
The highfalutin fête, with tickets priced as high as $8,250 for premium seats at top-tier events, will be hosted in Los Angeles, California, from July 14 to July 30, 2028. The Paralympics will, too, take place in LA, kicking off on August 15 through August 27, 2028.
But critics aren’t getting a kick out of LA28’s hunt for no-cost crew members to cover 10 non-consecutive, eight hour shifts in fields such as ceremonies, communications, operations, driving, technology, sport and medical.
“Volunteers is what you ask for a soup kitchen. Not for the frikin Olympics — like they don’t have any money,” scoffed a virtual critic, echoing the sentiments of equally incensed detractors who argue that the work opportunities should come with compensation.
Representatives for LA28 did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for a comment.
The organization does, however, note that, “Volunteer roles are unpaid opportunities and expenses such as travel or lodging are not covered,” per its site.
Volunteering, while an oft-thankless, unglamorous chore, has granted sports aficionados free access into some of the hottest happenings in recent history, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The selfless act can even boost one’s resume and leadership skills, making do-gooders prime candidates for paid positions, according to reports.
Still, virtual naysayers say the multitude of Olympics openings would be best filled by locals in need of dinero.
“How about offering real affordable tickets to [residents], as well as temporary employment opportunities first before volunteers are called upon,” a scolder commented beneath a social media post related to the controversial ask.
“These f- -king crooks make a killing off of [the Olympics] and they want people to work for free?! Crazy work,” wrote another.
“Crazy how that could have been 60,000 jobs the LA28 games brought to our city,” added an annoyed onlooker. “Instead, [they give us] an activity to fill our time with? Like we have [free] time to kill like that??.”
The backlash notwithstanding, a hefty volunteer program is a regular facet of the Olympics. In fact, a whopping 28,742 Californians worked the festivities for free in 1984, the last time games were hosted in the City of Angels.
Folks who don’t mind picking up the torch for nothing during the 2028 events must be at least 18 years old and be proficient in English to apply.
Volunteers do not need to be local to Los Angeles or live in the U.S, but must “be present at one of the following locations during the 2028 Olympic or Paralympic Games periods: Greater Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, New York City, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, San José, San Diego,” according to LA28.
Selected applicants will be interviewed and trained in person or online.
English (US)