What have you done today to make you feel proud?

These famous lyrics by M People sum up everything there is to do with the Olympics, so when I was sat on a bus back from London, having attended my second GamesMaker training session, I couldn’t help but get goose bumps when the song blasted out of the radio.

Yes folks, I have been lucky enough to be selected as one of just 70,000 voluntary GamesMakers for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and I could not be happier. Starting out into the big bad world in 2006, I had a goal in mind – be a part of London 2012.

Graduating from the University of Sunderland in July 2006, one year on from Jacques Rogge awarding London the most prestigious of honours, I was looking six years down the line as an ambitious sports journalist.

And earlier this year, my goal was realised when I was selected as a volunteer for the Paralympic news service.

I have since attended two GamesMaker sessions; one to outline what would be expected of me and a second to provide details about my specific role.

Such is the security surrounding the Games there is a lot I can’t really tell you yet, but I can reveal that I will be a flash quote reporter, working in the Basketball Arena in the Olympic Village for two weeks in September.

I cannot explain to people just how passionate I am about the Olympics, ever since I watched the Barcelona Games in 1992 and Atlanta four years later.

I am filled with pride at the opportunity I have to offer my skills to the largest sporting spectacle Britain will see in this decade and many more to come. These chances do not come around often and I am excited to be a part of London 2012.

This week the names of the torchbearers were revealed and so was the street detail for the relay route around Britain.

I have my chance to get up close and personal with the athletes as a first point of contact when they come off the field of play, but I would urge others not to miss their Olympic and Paralympic opportunities.

The torch passing through your community might be the only chance you get to be involved, but don’t miss it, because being a part of the Olympic culture and legacy is just as important as writing about the sports and the stars of the competitions.

It has been said before by many and will be a cliché by the time we get to July but this really is a once in a lifetime gig. I am taking my chance to do something, why don’t you take yours and feel proud!