Tokyo Olympics 2020 receives over 200,000 volunteer applications

Organizers of the Tokyo Olympic Games said Thursday that 204,680 people have registered to volunteer at the sports event in 2020.

After opening online application in September, the organizing committee had received 186,101 applications by last December and a surge occurred due to a one-month deadline extension for people with visual impairment and the applicants affected by systems failures, local media reported.

Female applicants constitute 64 percent of the total, according to the committee.

Orientation for successful applicants will start in February and basic training in October to get them prepared for providing support at sports venues and the athletes' village.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will recruit volunteers separately to provide help spectators and tourists with transportation and sightseeing information.

The Tokyo Olympic Games will be held from July 24 to August 9 in 2020, followed by the Paralympics from August 25 to September 6.