If you’re an attractive woman, tall, thin, not to heavy and not too old, or can speak one of 55 foreign languages, the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games organizing committee wants you.
Beijing is looking for women presenters for the medals ceremonies, but according to Reuters only those who are tall and thin need apply.
Hundreds of young women will be recruited as volunteers to present medals and raise flags at the ceremonies, but Zhao Dongming, director of the Cultural Activities Department of Beijing 2008 said, “we have some very clear conditions and demands. We have certain requirements for their heights since they are to present the medals to our athletes. They need to be of a height between 1.68 and 1.78 metres. That’s above average”.
Although there are no weight requirements Zhao said, “generally speaking they can’t be too fat. Their figure should be good. They shouldn’t be too heavy”.
He said the women, who must be between 18 and 25 and university students, should be able to fit into the uniforms they will be wearing.
But he added, “it is not enough just to have a beautiful appearance. They need to be healthy and they need to have dedicated training. They also must have a very clear understanding of the Olympic spirit and the Olympic movement”.
A Beijing newspaper has reported that tattoos, “big bottoms” and “showy earrings” were “taboo” for potential volunteers.
Meanwhile, although more than 730,000 people have volunteered for the Games so far, more foreign language speakers are needed according to the Office of the Volunteer Work Coordination Group.
Anyone who can communicate in any of the 55 languages chosen by Beijing 2008 and meets the volunteer requirements should register as volunteers. There will be a new round of selection and testing process in mid December.
And if you’re not interesting in presenting medals, can’t speak a foreign language, and can’t get a ticket for the Games, Beijing organizers said Tuesday they are planning to set up television screens at 26 sites across the city to cater to fans.
The sites will become cultural focal points for a “celebration of humankind”, said Dongming. Foreign artists are invited to take part in cultural performances at the sites and he urged them to contact China’s cultural ministry to find out how to apply. He said, “spectators can watch the Olympic broadcasting at the sites and also we welcome artists from the provinces and across the world to participate in performances in these areas to share in the festivities”.
