Beijing 2008's secret weapon could be a group of volunteers who gain valuable experience at Salt Lake City in 2002 and Athens in 2004. Two Tsinghua students recently became the first Chinese students to get professional training in volunteer work for the Olympic Games.
Zhang Qiang and Chen Ling, both from the School of Public Policy and Management, were chosen from more than 40 candidates as international volunteers for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.
The State of Utah Beijing Trade Representative Office and Tsinghua's School of Public Policy and Management jointly initiated the "Utah-Beijing International Volunteers Programme." Its goal is to send Chinese students to Salt Lake City to gain experience to help with the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
The applicant selection, which ended last month, was only open for post-graduates in the School of Public Policy and Management of Tsinghua.
"As a new member of the Olympic Family, Beijing has a lot to learn from Salt Lake City and other predecessors," Bao Jiqing, assistant to the director of the State of Utah Beijing Trade Representative Office, explained.
PhD candidate Zhang Qiang, 27, holds an MBA degree and has worked at the Ministry of Water Resources.
Before he left for the US, he said he had no idea what his job would be like during the Games from February 8 to 24.
"But we are fully prepared to take up any jobs appointed by the organizing committee," he told China Daily.
Zhang said he and Chen have been researching sports events and skills required for volunteers, such as event services/security, guest/customer service, venue support, transportation and logistics.
PhD pursuiter Chen, 24, has working experience as a journalist. She hopes to learn how Salt Lake City will ensure security and utilize technology to help the sports events.
"I will compose a survey report to get advice in specific areas to help Beijing stage the 2008 event," she said.
The two left Beijing on Sunday to attend a training session in Salt Lake City before starting volunteer work.
(02/07/2002, Chinadaily)
