Games Monitor

Getting to watch events is definitely NOT one of the 'fringe benefits' volunteers can expect to get.
They get a uniform, free transport within London and refreshments vouchers. Many will be doing things like hanging around all day in railway stations giving people directions - great way for train company workers to spend their holidays!

The London 2012 volunteers fact sheet stresses:
"You will not get free tickets or back stage passes.
No staff or volunteers get free tickets."

This Telegraph article points out "Not that watching the Olympics is something volunteers can necessarily count on being able to do. A job as an Olympics volunteer is not merely a trackside ticket to the 100m final, or a licence to carry Andy Murray’s bags; more likely, it’ll be checking tickets at Greenwich Park, aiding spectators at Eton Dorney, greeting dignitaries at their hotels."

Good luck to Gerry Doherty and his legal challenge though - it would be hilarious if the transport system ground to a halt during the Olympics due to staff shortages, because they were all off being volunteers...