Special report:   2008 Olympic Games

    BEIJING, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Athletes, coaches and officials from 205 nations and regions who visit China during the Olympic Games will be served in 55 languages, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) said on Tuesday.

    Foreign-language hotlines would be open around the clock.

    "Language services will be provided at all Olympic venues and sites with large-scale activities," said Zhao Huimin, head of the international department of BOCOG.

    Zhao forecast that up to 5,000 oral interpretation services would be provided and daily translation services would reach 500,000 characters.

    The volunteer department of BOCOG announced last month that more than 800,000 people had applied for the 100,000 volunteer spots for the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics in August and September.

    However, volunteers who were fluent in lesser-known languages were still needed. Volunteer recruitment would end next month. After that, those selected would be trained, Zhao said.