By Zhang Yunxing
China.org.cn staff reporter

Mark Todd,an observer in Beijing for the London Olympic Village,in an interview with China.org.cn in the Beijing Paralympic Village, September 9, 2008 [Zhang Yunxing/China.org.cn]

The Paralympic Village is big, but you will never get lost here, because there are so many volunteers right by your side and always ready to help, said Mark Todd, an observer for the 2012 London Olympic Committee, in Beijing to gain experience for the next Olympics.

In an interview with China.org.cn at the Paralympic Village, Manchester-born Todd said: "The Paralympic Village is fantastic. It's got all the necessary services, a Bank, a Post Office, Express delivery, a laundry, a barber shop, a souvenir shop and an entertainment center. I am learning a lot about how to run the next Olympics and Paralympics."

Mark Todd,an observer for the London 2012 Olympic Village,talks to a China.org.cn journalist in Beijing's Paralympic Village, September 9, 2008 [Zhang Yunxing/China.org.cn]

Yang Cuisong, Media Operations Manager for the Paralympic Village, said the Village aims to provide useful services on a human level for athletes and officials living here. For example, there is a Paralympic Village maintenance center for artificial limbs, orthopedic devices and wheelchairs.

Todd said the right handle of his wheelchair was broken and he had thought about renting one, but couldn't bear to be parted from his "old companion", which has been traveled round the world with him for the past nine years. Mark said he wanted to let his companion see Beijing before he buys a new one.