Volunteers count down to big day

Grandpa Shang Muzhou knows better than anyone the benefits of morning exercise.

"I use dumbbells to build up my arms and harden my belly. Being chosen as an Olympic volunteer is heaven's reward for my consistent lifestyle," the 84-year-old, who is among the large pool of volunteers that will be Beijing's post-Olympics legacy, said.

"The 1.12 million Olympic volunteer applicants and 2.07 million city volunteer applicants are an inestimable asset to Beijing," Olympic volunteers chief Liu Jian told reporters yesterday at a press conference at the Main Press Center on the Olympic Green.