ATHENS — Among the 70,000 unpaid volunteers in the Athens Games are 78 missionaries from the Greece Athens Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The missionaries, who regularly include civic service as part of their missions, have taken off the full 17 days of the Games to work at various capacities in venues throughout the city. They will also volunteer at the Paralympic Games following the regular Olympics. The missionaries come from Germany, Italy, France, Denmark, Great Britain, Belgium, Finland, Sweden, Australia, Greece and the United States.

John Ludwig, president of the Greece Athens Mission, said the missionaries have been well received.

"We're getting good reports," he said, "They're enthusiastic, they're staying at their posts, they're all doing a good job."

"One of the sister missionaries told me they're always giving the volunteers breaks," said Ludwig, "She said, 'We don't need breaks. This is a lot easier than knocking (on) doors.' "

Lisa Wardle of Salt Lake City is the HR Planning and Implementation Manager, Spectator Services for the Athens Organizing Committee and was instrumental in enlisting the missionaries, who agreed to resist proselyting while on their Olympic assignments, placed as volunteers. Wardle worked previously for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee.

---

E-mail: benson@desnews.com