CRI听力:Athletes Live it Up in the Olympic Village

When you walk through the streets of the Olympic Village, you can hear people from all over the world speaking different languages.

However, not all the athletes stay here. It has been reported that the beds in the Olympic Village were too short for some of the larger athletes. So, the Olympic organizers have tried to solve the problem. Wen Dongsheng, a volunteer for the Chinese delegation, explains.

"Lengthening the bed is usual. The standard length of a single bed is fixed, so we lengthen them. The whole Chinese delegation has had to lengthen about 80 beds"

According to Zhou Jihong, head of the Chinese diving delegation, the divers have 4 rooms with 2 people each, and there are only two bathrooms for the lot.
but for athletes from around the globe, acclimatizing is not difficult. During this year's Olympics, the Organizing Committee provided the Chinese delegation with 9 assistants of Chinese origin. Wen Dongsheng, one member, describes his duties.

"We are responsible for all their services, whatever they require. Given that they are not familiar with the compound, we gave them a tour. Our most common duty right now is driving."

Thanks to the assistance of these volunteers, the Chinese athletes and members of the delegation are prepared and comfortable. Besides that, everyone brings a little slice of home.

The Canadians have model reindeer on their doorstep and hang giant letters spelling "Canada". The Australians took along their national symbols, including kangaroos and ostriches and presented them to the village. Regardless of the country, the most common practice is the hanging of national flags.

The US tennis team, with top stars such as the Williams Sisters and Andy Roddick, are staying in hotels near the games venues. Their media officer, however, says the US athletes will visit the Olympic Village soon.

"The team does have some rooms available to them at the Olympic Village that they may use on off days or a rest if they need."

Last but not least, the International Area in the Olympic village,is comprised of various recreational facilities with shuttle buses, food venues and postal services.

For CRI, this is Zhou Jinnan.