Portuguese speakers are being encouraged to volunteer to help at the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Organisers are looking for 70,000 people to assist at the Games — and about 300,000 are expected to apply.

Rio volunteer manager Flavia Fontes told the Associated Press that “we think there will be a lot of internationals applying because Rio has this kind of image”.

“A lot of people want to come to South America and I think Brazil with the Olympics is a great opportunity to come in a safe way with a bit of structure,” she added.

“We are recruiting from minority communities definitely and they are seeing it as a great opportunity of feel part of something very important.”

Ms Fontes told AP that about five percent of the volunteers — 45,000 for the Olympics and 25,000 for the Paralympics — would probably be foreigners.

Applicants from overseas need to speak “basic Portuguese but not fluent”, she added, and said volunteers would have to pay for their own housing and transport to Rio.

Foreigners would also have to pay for a visa but the fee would be waived, she said.

“We are spreading the message that this is a Games for everybody,” she said. “Everybody can apply. There are positions for people who speak English, andwho don’t speak English.”

Volunteers will receive a uniform, food and transport on the days they work, according to AP. Applicants must be at least aged 18 but there is no maximum age limit.

Register at www.rio2016.com