Lasagna, Beijing roast duck or kosher food. Athletes from more than 200 countries and regions will likely be able to find a taste of home in the Beijing Olympic Village.

The choices of meals in the village are grouped into different zones - Chinese, Asian, international and Mediterranean. The variety of cuisine underlines the meticulous preparations officials have made to welcome some 16,000 athletes and coaches who will call the village home as they begin to arrive in Beijing. It officially opened on Sunday.

"We want to make this place a nice, quiet and comfortable place to stay, a place that feels like home," said village secretary-general Wu Jingmi.