Volunteer at the Olympic Oval

Officials (Referee): The Referee position is an official position that requires approval from the competition organizers. If you are interested in becoming a speed skating referee for either long track or short track please reach out to your provincial Officials Development Committee.

Officials (Starter): The Starter position is an official position that requires approval from the competition organizers. If you are interested in becoming a speed skating starter for either long track or short track please reach out to your provincial Officials Development Committee.

Lap Counter: The Oval’s lap counting system is automatic. It is still important to have a manual lap counter as back up, and of course, to ring the bell with 1 lap to go! Extra diligence is required when races are being run in quads, meaning two pairs are racing at the same time. Sometimes one pair catches the other pair which can cause confusion as to how many laps remaining. This position can be done sitting or standing.

Results Processing: This role assists the competition coordinator with preparing the races and entering them into the electronic timing computer system. They distribute daily schedules and pairs sheets to the officials and timing deck volunteers. They receive results from electronic timers and photo finish operators and double check for accuracy. This role distributes results to officials and the online system. This is a trained position. If you are interested in learning this position please contact the competition team.

Announcer: The announcer is the life of the party! The announcer provides commentary in the Oval and on the webcast. Additional commentary beyond lap times and finishing times is strongly encouraged. The announcer can provide depth to the sport by educating and engaging the audience. The announcer is also responsible for controlling the music throughout the day, which requires muting during the starting procedure, and playing during racing and in between races! Announcers can work in pairs to create ongoing dialogue as well. This position can be done sitting or standing.

Electronic Timing Computer: The timing computers play an integral role in the competition. The operator is responsible for setting the system to receive the start pulse from the starter for each race and completing the race after the skaters cross the finish line. During the race, the operator must ensure that the athletes have changed lanes correctly, so the laser triggers are assigning the correct lap times to the skaters. Generally, an easy position, but some quick thinking is required. Gets easier with practice! This position can be done sitting or standing.

Photo Finish Operator: The photo finish position is required for high level competitions that require multiple levels of race timing. The photo finish time is the official time used for results. This position requires lots of practice, ideally in competitions that don’t rely on photo finish for official results. If you are interested in advancing your Officials levels in this position, please reach out to your provincial Official Development Committee. This position can be done sitting or standing.

Webcast Operator: The Oval’s webcast allows spectators all over the world to watch our competitions. It is important for athletes to rewatch their races for technical and tactical purposes, as well as being able to share their experiences with family and friends. The webcast utilizes the vMix software and is very easy to use from race to race. The webcast operator works closely with the announcer and support is provided throughout the day. With little practice you can be an expert! This position can be done sitting or standing.

Officials (Referee): The Referee position is an official position that requires approval from the competition organizers. If you are interested in becoming a speed skating referee for either long track or short track please reach out to your provincial Officials Development Committee.

Officials (Starter): The Starter position is an official position that requires approval from the competition organizers. If you are interested in becoming a speed skating starter for either long track or short track please reach out to your provincial Officials Development Committee.

Officials (Competitor Steward): The Competitor Steward position is an official position that requires approval from the competition organizers. If you are interested in becoming a speed skating competitor steward for short track, please reach out to your provincial Officials Development Committee.

Officials (Recorder): The Recorder position is an official position that requires approval from the competition organizers. If you are interested in becoming a speed skating recorder for short track, please reach out to your provincial Officials Development Committee.

Officials (Heat Box Steward): The Heat Box Steward is responsible for gathering the athletes in the heat box prior to their race, and ensures they get on the ice in the correct race. They hand out helmet covers and transponders to the athletes prior to the race and gets them back following the race. They provide a positive atmosphere for the athletes as they prepare for their race. This position is largely done while standing, but some sitting is possible.

Officials (Photo Finish Operator): The photo finish position is required to produce accurate timing and finish positions for each race. The photo finish time is the official time used for results. This position requires lots of practice outside of the competitive environment. If you are interested in advancing your Officials levels in this position, please reach out to your provincial Official Development Committee. This position is largely done while sitting.

Lap Counter: The Oval’s lap counting system counts laps automatically from the transponders on the athlete's ankles. It is still important to have a manual lap counter as back up, and of course, to ring the bell with 1 lap to go! Extra diligence is required when skaters fall and have more laps remaining than the lead pack. This position can be done sitting or standing.

Water Platform: This position requires medium-heavy lifting of roughly half filled 5 gallon water buckets up 1-2 feet. This process happens between each race so the track stewards can maintain the track. Great seat to watch the races! This position can be done sitting or standing.

Announcer: The announcer is the life of the party! The announcer provides commentary in the Oval and on the webcast. Additional commentary beyond lap times and finishing times is strongly encouraged. The announcer can provide depth to the sport by educating and engaging the audience. The announcer is also responsible for controlling the music throughout the day, which requires muting during the starting procedure, and playing during racing and in between races! Announcers can work in pairs to create ongoing dialogue as well. This position can be done sitting or standing.

Webcast Operator: The Oval’s webcast allows spectators all over the world to watch our competitions. It is important for athletes to rewatch their races for technical and tactical purposes, as well as being able to share their experiences with family and friends. The webcast utilizes the vMix software and is very easy to use from race to race. The webcast operator works closely with the announcer and support is provided throughout the day. With little practice you can be an expert! This position can be done sitting or standing.

Video Replay Operator: The video replay operator position works closely with the referees off the ice, on a computer, to mark any potential infractions as instructed by the referee. The operator plays back these marks at the instruction of the referee in slow motion to assist the referees in making their decisions. A strong technical understanding of the sport of short track speed skating is highly valuable. This role requires approval from the competition organizers and requires training.