ATHENS, Sept. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- The total number of accredited Paralympic Games volunteers serving at 21 venues and in the Paralympic Village is estimated at 8,863, with 60 percent (5,328) being women and 40 percent (3,535) being men.

    The Paralympic volunteers were selected from a pool of 160,000 personal applications submitted to Athens 2004 by April 30.

    Of the volunteers, 93.5 percent (8,293) are permanent residents of Greece. The other 6.5 percent come from outside Greece, from 60 different countries and regions.

    The leading participant countries are Australia, United States, Britain, Germany and Cyprus. Three hundred and eighty-two of these volunteers are of Greek descent, from 25 different countries and regions headed by Australia, United States and Cyprus, in order of numbers participating.

    As of the age, the great majority of the volunteers (5,033) are between 18 and 34. There are 2,196 aged between 35 and 54, 894 aged 55 and over, and 740 under-18s.

    As regards the volunteers' level of education, 47 percent have finished their secondary education, 38.5 percent are university graduates, while 12 percent have a postgraduate degree.

    The great majority (73 percent) used printed forms when applying. The other 27 percent applied online.

    The volunteers are serving in a wide range of what are technically called "functional areas". These include sports, transport, security, public relations, environment, energy management, administration services, date processing, doping control, communication, spectator services, press services, accommodation and hospitality, international relations, telecommunications, opening and closing ceremonies, medal ceremonies, medical services and language services. Enditem