With the final batch of Beijing Paralympic volunteers to be selected at the end of May, some 36,000 will strike it lucky, while many more will hope for better luck next time.

Chosen from almost 1 million applicants, the 'winners' will be trained at 32 sites to give them experience of interacting with Paralympic athletes, Tang Xiaoquan, executive vice-president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG), revealed at a recent press conference.

In addition to having a complete understanding of all the Paralympic sports, disciplines and events, volunteers should be able to communicate with and provide services for athletes with disabilities.

To properly train the volunteers, BOCOG shot a special film and invited experts to write training materials in Chinese, English and braille. Some 300 teachers have also been trained and qualified to help out.

"Before the Paralympic Games takes place in September, every volunteer will take at least two practical training classes at the 32 training sites. By interacting with disabled athletes, they will gain many useful skills," said Zhang Juming, deputy director of BOCOG's Volunteer Department.

The Beijing Sports and Vocational Training Center for the Disabled at Daxing district was previously named the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games volunteers' training base. Many volunteers, like 21-year-old Han Chao, trained there recently.

"Today I learned how to guide people with visual impairments, and how to use wheelchairs correctly. After communicating with athletes with disabilities, I think treating them as equals is the most important thing," said the Beijing Sport University student.

"I'm satisfied with these volunteers' service. I hope more people can make friends with us instead of just giving us their pity," said Cheng Haizhen, a member of the Beijing wheelchair basketball team.

"Our training classes are really down-to-earth and helpful. Besides training volunteers to provide a high-level service during the Games, we hope that they will go on to teach these skills and knowledge to others later.

"Every volunteer is a seed. They will help our society become more harmonious," said Yang Jia, vice-director of the China Association for the Blind.

(China Daily/the Olympian June 2, 2008)