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“I Want to Be Volunteers”

Because the Olympics is a celebration of life, I hope BTM readers will join me in enjoying this celebration. Let’s register for the Volunteer Programme now!

Because university students in Beijing will be a major source of volunteers for 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, BTM visited with several domestic and foreign university students in Beijing to hear their ideas about volunteer services.

Ai Yicheng, 21, who studies Russian and Ukrainian at the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) said he wants to be a volunteer for the 2008 Olympic Games because he is eager to try new things. “I’ve never been a volunteer back in my hometown in Hubei Province, so I’d like to have a try. I’m working as a volunteer for this year’s China Open, a tennis event held in Beijing from September 9 to 24. I want to gain more experience so that when the Olympic Games come, I will perform better as a volunteer welcoming people from various countries to China.” Ai said he hopes to work in the Olympic Media Centre and that this opportunity will make his life more colourful and unforgettable.

Ursula Luternauer, 42, of Switzerland has the beautiful Chinese name Lu Tingna. She is studying Chinese at BLCU. “I do not want to miss the chance of taking part in such an international event as Olympic. Being a volunteer also provides a perfect chance to communicate with Chinese more.” With a grasp of seven languages, Ursula wishes to assist athletes in 2008.

Qing Ting, a junior student in BFSU, said, “I feel honoured working as a volunteer for such an exciting event. I’ve always dreamed of being a part of something as big as the Olympic Games; I’d like to work for the department of sports events management.”

A doctoral student in legal history at the Renmin University of China (RUC), Li Fang has been a volunteer since 1998. She was once the vice-president of the Youth Volunteers Association of RUC, one of the best youth volunteer associations in Beijing. “In 2001, I was responsible for recruiting, training and organizing volunteers for the 21^st Universiade. I learned about the role volunteers play in international sporting events. I’m still a student and I’m looking forward to being a volunteer at the Beijing Olympic Games.”