BEIJING, Jan. 31, 2008 -- On January 31, a volunteer training contest entitled "Smile, Beijing – Olympic pioneers" was held in the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium. Approximately 1,000 volunteers took part in this contest.

Volunteers play an important part in the Olympics and Paralympics, and they will provide services for seven million people. In the 2007 "Good Luck Beijing" events, nearly 5,000 volunteers participated in the competition services, and 20,000 more will take part in the 2008 "Good Luck Beijing" events.

Both experienced volunteers and new recruits attended the contest, which contained three units: "youth and passion," "Olympics and me" and "glory and mission." Each unit contained impersonations, representations and other activities with fun.

Mr. Liu Jian, director of the Volunteer Department of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, attended the activity and expressed his thanks to the hard work of volunteers. Mr. Yan Cheng, director of the Olympic Office of Beijing Colleges, made a summary speech at the end of the contest and encouraged all the volunteers to do their best.