Wang Longwei, a college student of Olympic co-host city Qingdao, started his new task Tuesday as a guide at local train station for passengers, who were paying visits to the city.

Wang, standing at the station exit and wearing a red hat and T-shirt with lucky clouds graphic, symbol of Beijing Olympic social volunteer, were providing services to people before and during the upcoming Olympic sailing events in Qingdao.

"My work is to guide and help passengers at the station and warn them not to spit or litter when they are here", Wang told Xinhua with pride.

Wang was not the only one at the special work on that day.

More than 1,000 representatives for over 30,000 Olympic volunteers inaugurated their services and took their solemn oath at Qingdao University Tuesday morning as the Beijing Olympic sailing events was drawing near.

"We will carry forward the spirit of Olympics and perform well as volunteers to show the courtesy of the city", all the representatives chorused their promise at the ceremony.

"I love the work, where I can make the acquaintance of people from all over the world", Wang said after he received his task.

According to the Qingdao Youth League, there would be a total of more than 30,000 Olympic volunteers to provid services to athletes, officials, tourists and people from other circles during the Olympic sailing competition.

The volunteers were divided into three groups as the games-time volunteers, the city volunteers and the social volunteers by their tasks.

As for the task of social volunteers like Wang, Qingdao had set up more than 1,500 service stands for them at crossroads, railway stations, bus stops, ferries, shopping malls, hotels and scenic spots.

Kang Haihong, also a college student from Qingdao Technological University, was working as a social volunteer at a long-distance bus station near Ruichang Road.

"I am not only just helping passengers but also watching if they have brought any dangerous stuff," he said, adding that to ensure everyone's safety was the best service he could give.

Except for the services above, Olympic volunteers also offer services including giving directions or acquired information about traveling routes, weather forecast and sailing events schedule, according to an official from the Qingdao Youth League.

Qingdao is the co-host city of Beijing Olympic Games. The Olympic sailing events is going to be held here from August 9th to 23rd and the Paralymic sailing events from September 8th to 13th.

"The volunteers represent the image of the city. I hope they can provide their best services to the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events," said Xia Geng, mayor of Qingdao and president of the sailing committee (Qingdao) of BOCOG.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2008)