Off to the Games in Rio with the athletes, will be a huge team to support them. There is likely to be as many 'others' as athletes. As well as coaches, physio and medical staff, officials, and technical experts, there will be family, managers, administrators and the press.

While the host country takes major responsibility for the various umpires, referees and officials they also call on help from visiting teams to assist them. For example, the extremely complex timing equipment is operated by skilled technicians provided by the manufacturer of the timing devices and system. The technical officials for each sport are highly trained and specialise in their area of expertise for the various sports.

An army of volunteers fulfil support roles such as providing information to spectators and visitors and managing crowd control. Also in the background there is the transport of officials and athletes, help with food preparation, hospitality and the processing of results, etc.

It is only by using volunteers that nations other than the super economies can afford to stage a spectacular event such as the Olympics. Even more importantly this engages the community and encourages their support through the purchase of food, merchandise and mementos.

At the individual level, volunteers have opportunities to experience a 'once in a lifetime' moment of glory by being part of an historic international sporting epic.

Come August, there will be stories of sadness and elation, of personal and national success and failure, and of course controversy and the unexpected.