The Beijing Olympic Village, the No. 1 village in the world

Room for observing Buddhism in Olympic Village

Setting up a Religious Services Center in the Olympic Village is a vital responsibility for the Olympic host city. Similar to the center that was setup in Athens in 2004, the Religious Services Center in the Olympic Village in Beijing will offer religious activities and services for athletes and officials with the help of volunteers.

"The Olympic Village is going to receive about 20,000 athletes and officials from all over the world. Since their cultures, religions and eating habits are different, we set up the Religious Services Center here, aiming at providing religious activities for them," said one attendant from the center.

Sites for five major religions

The Religious Services Center covers an area of 2,000 square meters. It is located to the north of the athletes' restaurant and surrounded by a large lawn. The center is divided into five 70-100 square-meter areas that will offer Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist, Islamic and Hindu activities and services. Priests and imams will serve as professional volunteers there. Each area is being specially prepared in accordance with each religion's traditions.

Room for observing Catholicism in Olympic Village

Professionals provide religious services

Sister Yu Shuqin is part of the 17-person clerical staff that will be serving people who come to the Catholic area. "We often participate in such activities and we are experienced," she said. Yu is a nun in the Southern Catholic Church. The team includes six priests, six theological students and five nuns. They will offer mass and take confession in the Olympic Village during the Games. The six priests have studied abroad and speak several languages -- English, French, Korean and Italian. Yu herself speaks Italian. All of them have received training in Western cultures and religious etiquette.

A 16-person Protestant volunteer group and a team from the Beijing Islamic Association will also be serving at the Religious Services Center.

Religious services provided according to people's needs

Individuals can use the Religious Services Center at any time during the Olympic Games. Groups wanting to use the center must make reservations beforehand. Athletes and officials living in the Village can get information about all religious services offered in Beijing through their handbooks and the Olympic Village newspaper.