The 2024 Summer Olympic Games may be seven years away, but candidate city Los Angeles has already started to recruit volunteers to boost its bid.

Competing against Paris and Budapest when the 2024 decision is announced at the 130th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Lima on September 13, the LA 2024 committee has urged ‘Angelenos’ to sign up for its recently-launched volunteer service programme.

Bid chairman Casey Wasserman said: “The LA 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Games will be a celebration of all Angelenos and the diverse communities of Southern California. Eighteen million talented, creative and caring Angelenos are our greatest asset for hosting the Games.

“If Los Angeles is elected host city, tens of thousands of Angelenos would volunteer to support the events and welcome the world to our city. But we're not waiting until 2024. LA 2024 wants to use the power of the Games to galvanise volunteerism today, making LA an even better place to live for all Angelenos, well before the Games.”

The programme will spotlight opportunities in 2017 for residents to make a difference in their communities through volunteer work and community service, providing tangible benefits to the region during the bid phase.

Participants will then engage with the programme online via desktop and mobile as part of LA 2024’s commitment to communicate with young people on their platforms and on their terms. In recognition for their service, participants will receive priority consideration for volunteer opportunities during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, should LA be elected host city by the IOC.

This process will ensure that visitors in 2024 would find a dedicated and experienced team of volunteers with detailed knowledge of the LA 2024 Games Plans.

Janet Evans, LA 2024 vice chair and director of athlete relations, said: “Thank you to the hundreds of Angelenos who have already signed up to join LA 2024 as we give back to our communities and make a difference in our communities today. We hope many more join us in this effort.

“Shows of support like these bring to life what polls tell us - that an overwhelming 88% of Angelenos want to bring the Games back to LA in 2024. The Olympic enthusiasm that LA 2024 will harness to give back to our communities today is the same enthusiasm that athletes, fans and members of the Olympic Family can expect when they are warmly welcomed here in 2024.”