Friendly faces, helping hands

Extensively trained volunteers ready to serve with a smile

Beijing 2022's well-prepared volunteers are confident of providing professional services and delivering the warmest of welcomes to all participants at the Games.

Some 19,000 volunteers dressed in blue uniforms will be stationed in and around the venues to provide information and translation services, assist people with disabilities and handle any emergencies. Half are specialist volunteers who have professional knowledge, skills and expertise in specific areas.

The performance of volunteers plays a critical role in the operation of world-class sporting events, as well as helping participants from around the world learn more about China. The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics will be held from Feb 4-20, and the Winter Paralympics from March 4-13.

It has not been easy to make it onto the Games' volunteer team, with more than a million people, including over 2,000 with disabilities, applying for roles. About 95 percent of them were between 18 and 35.

Candidates had to pass a strict selection process and interviews before they could join the team.

In November, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games sent a thank-you letter to those who were unsuccessful in their bid to become the volunteers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought great challenges to many aspects of the preparation work, and the committee adjusted requirements for volunteers in consideration of epidemic control and prevention, the letter said.

"Although you weren't selected as a volunteer for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, every applicant is an excellent promoter of the Olympic spirit and volunteerism," the committee said in the letter.