OLYMPICS/ Spotlight
It's ready, go for Games in Shanghai
(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-28 14:12
Liaison officers
He Yimin is busier than usual these days. As one of the liaison officers, the 54-year-old is sharpening his Spanish in a bid to make sure his job performance is faultless.
A law enforcement officer and an athlete hold the torch during a ceremony September 28, 2007, for the 12th Special Olympics World Summer Games in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. [China Daily] |
"I feel pressure because my job involves my reputation and that of the city of Shanghai. I will try to do my best," He said.
Along with other officers, He has been briefed about the content and spirit of the Games, community reception schedules and proper etiquette.
To guarantee the Games' success, the steering committee of the Shanghai Special Olympics has appointed about 480 liaison officers to handle communication and coordination between event organizers and the delegations.
These officers, selected from 1,200 candidates and covering 11 languages, will be assigned to each delegation and will be on call 24 hours.
He, the vice-president of a Shanghai-based medical equipment manufacturing company, has taken special leave to work at the Games, which is being held in Asia for the first time.
A native of Shanghai, He has worked in Argentina for 10 years as a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and learned Spanish. Because of his career, He has a special affinity toward disadvantaged people.
He is good at organizing and coordinating events and shows a lot of initiative.
Despite his qualifications, He did not think he would be selected as a liaison officer.
"I thought I would not be selected because the others were all between 17 and 24 years old," He said.
But to his surprise, He was selected even before he was able to translate a phrase from Chinese to Spanish.
He will be in charge of the 123-member Venezuelan delegation, which arrives in Shanghai today. He has already been in touch with the delegation via e-mail to explain to them the preparations the city has been making.
"I told the delegation head that I will take the job very seriously and be responsible. I also asked him if the delegation had any special requests or suggestions," He said.
But He admitted it would not be an easy task looking after such a large delegation.
"I will do my best."
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