We are Ready

Welcome to Beijing

The People of the “People’s Olympics” are Ready to Greet You

 

Seven years have passed since Beijing won its bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games. With one month remaining before the Games’ opening, the venues have been completed and tested using “Good Luck Beijing” test events over the past two years, and the city’s infrastructure has won approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials.

 

But how about the people? Are they ready for the coming Games?

 

Despite long-term preparations Beijing has made in welcoming numerous athletes, officials, journalists and tourists from all corners of the world, the city and its people still face many challenges. For the first time, Beijing is hosting a sporting event that will draw the eyes of the whole world to the capital, and not just sports fans. This is something that Beijing and its people have never had to contend with before. Will the citizens be able to make their visitors feel at home and help athletes achieve their best results or even break some world records? What have the citizens done to prepare to welcome the large numbers of visitors who will soon descend on the city?

 

Accommodation is a first concern of most tourists. Apart from hotels and inns, it is estimated that 1,000 local families will provide accommodation for international tourists at a cost of about US$50–$80 a night. So far, 1,118 families have applied, meeting the basic requirements of at least one family member speaking English and offering a separate room, clean furniture and safe electrical appliances. Families specializing in Chinese culture and tradition, such as Chinese cuisine and traditional Chinese medicine, have priority in the selection process.

 

Unlike the residents of large cities in Europe and America, many Beijingers know little about English and have difficulty in communicating with foreigners. Therefore, since the year 2001, service people at scenic spots, shopping malls, buses and subway stations, banks and post offices and taxi drivers have been getting systematic training in English and other foreign languages. They have bound themselves to studying and practicing their English as much as possible during work hours. At local communities, citizens are studying English, especially oral English, with the help of volunteers. A Mrs. Wang in her 40s living in downtown Dongcheng District said, “If one day I meet a foreigner in the hutong where I live, I hope that I can give him some help when needed.”

 

According to a survey conducted by Xinhuanet.com at the end of 2007, more than 70 percent of the citizens thought being Olympic volunteers and behaving properly are the two things they can do to support the Games.

 

As of March 31, 2008, the deadline for applying to serve as a volunteer during the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) got applications from about 1.13 million people, of which 900,000 were are also willing to be Paralympics volunteers. However, only 70,000 people are needed for the Olympic Games and 30,000 for the Paralympic Games. Many will nevertheless get an opportunity to serve as city volunteers. They will be stationed at different parts of the city to help visitors from both home and abroad with assistance such as traffic directions. It is hoped that visitors will feel safe and warmly welcomed anywhere in Beijing.

 

About 82.6 percent of people interviewed about proper public behaviour regarded behaving properly as important. Spitting in public, smoking, littering and speaking loudly at public places were ranked as the four most disgusting deeds. During competitions, improper deeds include standing or walking in spectators’ stands, booing or abusing athletes or officials, applauding when silence is needed, cheerleading only for athletes from the home country, and using spotlights to disturb players. Through handing out pamphlets on proper manners and holding lectures on TV and in public places, as well as guiding spectators at sporting events such as the “Good Luck Beijing” test events, fewer and fewer instances of improper manners are now seen.