Just two days after the Olympic sailing test event began,
athletes and officials in Qingdao have already hailed the services
of volunteers and high standard of accommodation in a promising
sign for next year's Olympic event.
Volunteers
"This is a test event for us volunteers as much as a test event
for everyone, so we're training, we're learning how to work the
best for the Olympics next year so everything can run smoothly and
perfectly," Canadian volunteer Alyson Woolfrey, a volunteer on the
Sailing Committee's news service desk, told China
Daily.
Woolfrey is one of nine foreign counterparts at the test
event.
According to Jiang Jing, Vice secretary-general of the Olympic
Sailing Committee in Qingdao, the 1,400 volunteers selected from
4,500 applicants are working feverishly at the Sailing Center,
hotels, airport and elsewhere across 21 services such as security,
transportation, translation and medication.
All have passed specific tests and undergone training, which
will be of great importance to the event's success.
"The volunteers are very helpful, their English is very good and
it makes it easy to communicate," US sailor Sally Barkow said.
Hi-tech support
Highly advanced technical systems have been installed to serve
the regatta.
Messages about daily events and weather reports issued by the
committee reach the cell phones of athletes and officials upon
arrival at their base.
Global Positioning System (GPS) technology tracks the
whereabouts of all participants traveling in shuttle buses between
the airport, hotels and the Sailing Center.
Preparations for receiving VIPs can also be done in advance with
the help of GPS.
The North China Sea Marine Forecasting Center of China's State
Oceanic Administration is monitoring wind, waves and currents with
high-powered computers.
Media service
Media service boats have been made with bigger hulls to allow
photographers the comfort they need to take the best snaps.
While on board, they must wear safety chains at all times.
Journalists and photographers shuttling between different spots
at the Sailing Centre by electric vehicles are provided lunch and
supper.
The organizing committee provides free transport between the
airport and hotels, as well as free bus service and convenient taxi
operations anywhere in the city.
Athletes service
Athletes are entitled free transport the moment they are ready
to leave the airport.
They are enjoying free access to the gym, swimming pool and
self-help laundry at the simulated "Olympic Village", at Haiqing
Hotel, just five minutes' drive from the Sailing Center.
Washing machines supplied by sponsor the Haier Group have had
instructions on their control panels translated into English.
On the walls of the corridors hang pictures of athletes
themselves and scenes from their homelands, making their hotel feel
like home.
More western cuisine has been added to the menus of Haiqing and
other hotels.
Medical service
Almost 50 medical staff are on standby during the regatta, ready
to administer first-aid should it be needed at any time.
"We will provide the best service for 2007 Qingdao International
Regatta in line with Olympic standards and formats to make this
year's event a success, and to accumulate more experience for next
year's Olympiad," Secretary-General of the Olympic Sailing
Committee in Qingdao Sun Lijie said.
(China Daily August 13, 2007)