London 2012 organisers have launched a recruitment drive for volunteers at the Olympic Games – with cycling ‘Games Makers’ needed to get the Greatest Show on Earth off to a flying start.

The campaign, launched by Olympic champions Amy Williams and Jonathan Edwards in Trafalgar Square today, will seek to recruit 70,000 volunteers.

“We need volunteers: team players, those people willing to push themselves as far as they can to get their work done,” said comedian Eddie Izzard, who last year ran 43 consecutive marathons for charity Sport Relief.

“Whatever role you are allocated, everything you do will be to help make the Games one of the most amazing experiences of people’s lives.

“Imagine being able to tell your grandkids that you were part of the London 2012 Games.”

The men’s and women’s Olympic road races will be held on the opening weekend of the Games as organisers bank on Mark Cavendish and Nicole Cooke getting Great Britain off to a golden start.

Both routes are being finalised with the UCI but it is expected the men’s race will be 240km long and women’s race 130km.

The two races will start on The Mall, with Buckingham Palace as the backdrop, before the peloton leaves London for several loops of the iconic Box Hill before the showpiece central London finish.

Volunteers will be needed across most venues, including the VeloPark, where track cycling and BMX events will be held.

To apply visit www.london2012.com/volunteering