Preface

China's Olympics-a Century-old Dream Comes True.

The Olympic Games is a festival celebrated by the people of the world. With the motto of "Citius, Attius, Fortius" (Faster, Higher and Stronger) and the aim of promoting "Peace, Friendship and Progress", the century-old Olympic Movement has spurred people to challenge both themselves and extremes in pursuit of a harmonious development of the body and mind. The Movement also encourages people to understand and trust each other in pursuit of friendship and unity that transcend racial, geographic and cultural barriers, and stimulates mankind to safeguard peace and promote development in pursuit of a better life.

From the Olympia to the Great Wall, the century-old glory of the Olympic Movement blends with the splendor of the Chinese civilization. With the most sincere warmth and broadest support and participation, the Chinese people, along with friends from all over the world, will light the Olympic Flame in their homeland and create a better future for the Olympic Movement. Through this event, the Chinese civilization and the Olympic Movement will add radiance and beauty to each other and create a unique spiritual heritage.

Realizing the idea of "Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and People's Olympics" and staging a outstanding Olympic Games with distinguished features is a solemn commitment China and Beijing have made and also a common wish of the whole world. The Chinese people have a long history and a splendid culture that span five thousand years, representing a shining chapter of human civilization. Today, the dynamic and changing China has attracted worldwide attention for its great success in reform and opening up. Beijing, a famous historical and cultural city, is permeated with a modern atmosphere, backed with its cultural richness. The perfect combination of tradition and modernity has made the city all the more splendid and charming.

The Olympic Games is not only a grand occasion for athletes from throughout the world, but also a great gathering for volunteers. Beijing volunteers, who have a glorious tradition, will join hands with their counterparts from the rest of China and the world to add honor to the Beijing Olympic Games with their dedicated services. Their sincere smiles and friendliness will resonate in the heart of each and every Olympic participant, forming a beautiful rainbow linking the Chinese civilization with the Olympic culture which will go down in the annals of Olympic history.

Beijing Olympic volunteers will be people-oriented and will guide their actions with the concept of "Service First, Harmony First". Advocating service spirit, stimulating service enthusiasm and upgrading service abilities, the volunteers will provide unique and high-standard voluntary service for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with their innovative courage, spirit and methods. Emphasizing harmony and respecting diversity, they will promote mutual respect and understanding among the people of different races, regions and cultures, promote harmonious coexistence between man and nature, and promote coordinated development between man and society.

In 2008, the smiles of the volunteers will be the best name-card of Beijing.