Klitschko gives heavyweight backing to volunteers

World heavyweight boxing champion Vitaliy Klitschko has urged people in Poland and Ukraine to 'join the action' when recruitment for UEFA EURO 2012 volunteers starts on Tuesday 14 June.

"I know many people expect a miracle from EURO 2012, but it will not happen unless each of us contributes to the success of the football festival," said Ukrainian UEFA EURO 2012 volunteer programme ambassador Klitschko. "I encourage young people to join the UEFA EURO 2012 volunteer programme. Let's showcase the real Ukraine to the world together – a wonderful country with warm and hospitable people."

Around 5,500 volunteers will support UEFA staff in 20 different areas of operation, working at a variety of official UEFA EURO 2012 sites including stadiums, airports and hotels. Volunteers will get an insight into what goes on behind the scenes and become part of the largest sports event ever staged in Poland and Ukraine.

Candidates will be able to apply via UEFA.com from 14 June. Apart from motivation, reliability and team spirit, successful candidates must be at least 18 on 1 March 2012 and speak fluent English. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews in all eight host cities between September and November, and notified whether or not they have been successful by the end of December.

The volunteer programme was publicised at events in Kyiv and Warsaw, along with the slogan – Join the action! – and a logo. The logo was developed by Brandia Centrale, the Portuguese agency behind the creation of the UEFA EURO 2012 tournament logo. The emblem is based around a V (for volunteer) and aims to reflect the passion, victory, festivity, solidarity and unity of the programme.

Photo contest: Find the V
Three official UEFA EURO 2012 match balls, signed by UEFA EURO 2012 volunteer programme ambassador Klitschko, are on offer in a photo contest to mark the launch. Participants should use their imagination to take pictures of elements representing a V shape.

Submit your entries to volunteers@euro2012.com before 19 June. Over the next five weeks the ten best entries will be uploaded to the official UEFA EURO 2012 Facebook page where users can select their favourite photo. The ten most popular entries overall will be presented to a jury who will select the three match ball winners.