More than 7,000 applications to become Volunteers in the 2008 Olympics Equestrian Events have been received by The Equestrian Company, a spokesman for the company said today (January 16).

The spokesman said the company has been interviewing 750 of the applicants who submitted their applications before December 22 and were shortlisted with potential for becoming leader-volunteers.

These interviews will be wrapped up by this week's end, with the notification of the 100 leader-volunteers selected to be made by the last week of the month to the first week of February.

The spokesman added that the first residential training session will be held after the Lunar New Year holidays, probably in March.

Experienced trainers of Olympic Events from Australia will be in Hong Kong to advise on the programme of leader-volunteers, the spokesman said.

Those not selected in the first batch of leader-trainers will be invited to indicate their continued interest in becoming general Volunteers and to update their information.

Phase two of the recruitment will target at universities, language schools and international schools as well as retired government servants.

The spokesman said applications are still open for persons interested in becoming Volunteers for the Olympics Equestrian Events, which will be held for the first time on Chinese soil, in Hong Kong in August 2008.

Prior to that, a Test Event will be held in August this year.

The Equestrian Company is recruiting 1,800 Volunteers to help make the Equestrian Events a smooth operation.

In line with the principles of a "Green Olympics" and "High-tech Olympics", those interested in applying to become Volunteers are invited to log on to the website at www.equestrian2008.org