Volunteers now good to go
All 1,600 volunteers have been selected for the Qingdao's Olympic sailing competition, according to the event's volunteer coordination group.
More than 43,000 people from home and abroad applied to be volunteers by the March 31 deadline, 2,000 of whom were selected after passing rigorous examinations. Candidates from other provinces and abroad were evaluated using video interviews.
A total of 269 foreigners applied for volunteer positions, with 19 selected from countries including the United States, Canada and Germany.
Qingdao volunteers, 60 percent of them university students, will work in 29 positions during the sailing competition. They have participated in training programs that began in April organized by Qingdao Olympic Sailing Committee.
During the sailing competition itself, 110 volunteer service centers will be open around the city to answer questions, provide translation and offer emergency medical treatment.
(China Daily 07/03/2008 page24)
