Organizers of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games have started their recruitment of volunteers for the sports extravaganza.  

CRI Special: Meet in Beijing in 2008

Liu Qi, President of Beijing Organizing Committee stressed China's commitment of hosting a high-level Olympics with distinguishing features. He says, "In 2008, the volunteers' smiles will be the best name cards for Beijing".

Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committe, delivered televised addresses. He speaks highly of the volunteers' contributions to the Olympic Games, and called on people from China and other countries to serve the Games as volunteers so that they may greet the world in 2008.

(Officials at the launching ceremony. 2006-08-28. BOCOG photo)

It is reported that 70,000 volunteers would be needed for the Olympic Games, and another 30,000 for the Paralympic Games. The majority of volunteers of the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be from the universities in Beijing. BOCOG also plans to recruit a certain number of volunteers outside the capital, as well as compatriots from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, overseas Chinese, students studying abroad, and foreigners.

The application process will start successively in light of actual needs and situations. The applicants in Beijing may submit their applications in the following manners: The university teachers and students (including those from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and foreign nationals) can enroll voluntarily in the recruitment outlets on campus from August 28 2006; other people may apply via the BOCOG online system or by correspondence. Meanwhile, certain organizations will be designated by BOCOG to receive the applications by their employees according to the requirements of professional volunteers.

From December, the applicants who reside in other provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities may enroll in such manner as designated by their local Communist Youth League Committees.

For compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, overseas Chinese, students studying abroad, and foreigners: if they work or reside in Beijing, the application mode designed for the applicants in Beijing may also apply; otherwise, they may apply from March, 2007 via BOCOG online system.

The recruitment in co-host cities (Qingdao, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenyang, Qinhuangdao, Hong Kong) will be arranged by the sub-committees of the BOCOG according to the general policy formulated by BOCOG.

Meanwhile, you can submit you application via Internet. It's: volunteers.beijing2008.com. Or, you can dial the the volunteer consultancy hotline: 0086-10-12308.