OLYMPICS /
Olympic Nation
Beijing Olympic village officially opens to athletes
Updated: 2008-07-27 13:50
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Members of Chinese delegation Yao Ming (second left back row), Zhu Fangyu (third left back row), Yi Jianlian (fourth left back row), Liu Xiang (second left middle row) and other members pose for group photos after the first flag raising ceremony of the delegation at Olympic Village July 27, 2008. The Olympic Village was officially opened on Sunday and Chinese sports delegation entered the village. [Xinhua] Click for more photos
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Hundreds of home-style foods, along with customized beds, space for religious masses and entertainment facilities, are part of the efforts to provide comfortable stay for the athletes.
Other services like chances of learning the Chinese language and watching Chinese cultural performances are expected to add colors to their Olympic experience.
In line with IOC regulations, a religious center has been set up in the village. Worship rooms have been set up for major religions -- Christianity, Buddhism, Islamism, and Hinduism and Judaism.
The total of 42 apartment buildings in the village was built with energy saving technologies, water recycling system, environmentally friendly construction materials and solar-powered lighting. Some of the apartments have been sold out as residences.
Deng Yaping, a famed Olympic table tennis champion and vice mayor of the village, said on Friday that 46 countries and regions have had some representation in the village since its preliminary opening on July 20. The village is expected to be fully lodged.
It will close on August 27 and reopen as the Paralympic Village on August 30 until September 20.