Relationship between volunteer motivation and the achievement of the volunteer concept at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games during the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract
Despite volunteers being essential to the success of the Olympic Games, research on Olympic volunteers’ motivations remains limited. The aim of this study was to investigate this phenomenon with volunteers at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of a questionnaire survey of 546 volunteers identified three dimensional motivations (i.e., relationship with others, love of the Olympics and sports, and esteem needs) that drove them to become Olympic volunteers. These findings clearly differ from Western society, as illuminated by the previous studies which revealed that resume material and networking were key factors in volunteerism at Olympic Games held in Sydney in 2000 Athens in 2004, Vancouver in 2010, and London in 2012. It became clear that the greatest influence on the achievement of the Tokyo 2020 volunteer concept of ‘I will shine’ were love of Olympics and sports, and esteem needs. The volunteers’ endorsement of holding the Olympic Games during the COVID-19 pandemic was supported by relationship with others and affection of the Olympics and sports. The findings and recommendations have ramifications for the future organizing committees of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in terms of volunteer participants by considering cultural background.
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References
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© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013
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