Finally the long awaited moment has finally arrived. I received the invitation letter on 9 January. I will be a NOC assistant and work at Olympic Village. At this point of time, we are yet to know which NOC will be assigned to us. I logged in to the volunteer portal and accepted the role.
This stage is a milestone in my Rio 2016 volunteer journey and it meant I am part of Rio 2016 volunteers which they named it “Do More For Sport” team (or Faz Maiz Por Esporte in Portuguese).
On February, Rio 2016 provided us a year free-license to take Portuguese and English courses. The courses were tailored exclusively for Rio 2016 by one of the sponsors.
It’s training time. On 29 March, I received email from Rio 2016 to inform me that I could start my online training. I have only 30 days to complete the courses. The online courses made available on +Rio 2016 Training Site.
There are three mandatory courses: “The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games”, “Excellence in Services”, and “My Role in the Games – Overview” and one optional course: “Diversity and Inclusion” which they made as mandatory in later date.
Less than 3 months to Rio 2016, I went to The Travel Clinic at Singapore General Hospital to take a yellow fever vaccine.
Yellow fever is endemic in certain areas of Brazil. Although proof of Yellow Fever Vaccination is not required for entry into Brazil, a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for re-entry into Singapore.
On 10 May, I received my roster and I have only 6 days to approve the roster. I logged in to the volunteer portal and accepted it.
Another good news happened in May. On 12 May, Rio 2016 revealed the workforce uniform. Divided into four groups, each uniform’s predominant color will indicate the function of its user: red is for medical services, blue for the technical officials, yellow for the operational team and green for those that will interact directly with the public. The uniform kit is comprised of three polo shirts, two pants which can transform into shorts, a belt, a jacket, a cap, a backpack / money belt, three pairs of socks, a pair of shoe, a raincoat and 1 water bottle + clip.
I will wear the yellow color uniform as my role is considered as operational area. The yellow color represents the sun, the light and joy.
photo credit: Rio 2016
On 14 May, Rio 2016 sent out email to inform all volunteers their Registration Number. And a surprise post was published in Rio 2016 Volunteers group that Rio 2016 volunteers will receive Rio 2016 version watch on their first day of duty.
photo credit: Rio 2016
On 21 May, the first NOC and NPC Services Assistant Training was made available on +Rio 2016 Training Site. The course comprises two modules, to learn about the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) and to understand the role of NOC/NPC Assistant.
On 15 June, I received the letter of presentation that contain my personal detail and role. I require to present a printed copy of the letter to the Brazilian immigration authorities in order to enter the country.
Singapore Ordinary Passport Holders can visit Brazil for up to 30 days without a visa. The number of days granted is at the discretion of the Brazilian Authorities at the point of entry into Brazil. Should you need to stay for more than the number of days granted, you are required to apply for an extension at the nearest Federal Police Office before the expiration of the visa-free period granted at your point of arrival.
Because of my role nature require me to start earlier and end later, I will stay for 45 days in Brazil. It means I need to apply for visa extension at Federal Police Office in Rio which is located at Galeão International Airport. For more detail on how to apply for visa extension.
23 June 2016, NCS team sent out an email to announce that I have been assigned to NOC Singapore, however on later date they reassigned me to NOC Chinese Taipei.
Rio 2016 made online another online course on the +Rio 2016 Training Site on 28 June. This time about health and safety. The course consists of a video lasting just five minutes to help us to identify the precautions we should take during the Rio 2016 Games and to know how to act in the event of an emergency.
The next day, 29 June, I received email from Rio 2016 to book a time to collect my uniform and accreditation pass. The pickup location is the Uniform and Accreditation Centre (UAC) at Rua Rivadávia Corrêa, 60 – Gamboa. I need to bring my passport and I have to attend in person.
The second NOC and NPC Services Assistant Training was made available on +Rio 2016 Training Site on 1 July. In this course, comprising the final two online modules, to learn more about the Games-time role, the other functional areas that provide services to NOCs and NPCs, as well as gain a greater understanding of the Olympic and Paralympic Village and venues.
Road to Olympics 