The Beijing Olympic Village will officially open on Sunday. Personnel serving at the village have vowed to provide considerate services to 16,000 athletes and sports officials from all over the world. Those promises will soon be put to the test.

Our reporter Chen Xi has the story.

Beijing's Olympic Village is perhaps the nearest one ever to main sports venues in the host city. It is located in the northwestern corner of the Olympic Green, less than three kilometers from the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest.

But proximity is not the only thing that will impress athletes. In each area of the village, they can enjoy convenient services, access to Chinese culture and food that has been certified safe.

Banking, shopping and communications facilities are ready for use in the international area. In addition to these basic services, athletes will also have easy access to aspects of Chinese culture such as art and handicrafts.

The village's vice director, Deng Yaping, a former Olympic gold medalist in table tennis, said athletes will have the chance to create their own Chinese artwork and learn Mandarin in the international area.

"In order to help foreign athletes learn more about Chinese culture, we have set up Chinese teahouses and folk art centers. Artists will show their skills in kite-making, paper-cutting and embroidery on the site, and athletes are welcome to join them."

In the residential area, Western and Asian cuisine made by nearly 2,500 chefs from both China and abroad will provide round-the-clock meal services.

Deng Yaping said the village administration is confident it can ensure food safety in the Olympic Village.

"All food will be traced by a special system which sets a unified logistics code on food. A comprehensive monitoring system will also be used to track food from manufacturing bases to processing enterprises, logistics and distribution center to the village."

A religious center in the residential area will also open five service areas for followers of Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Hinduism. People of other religions can hold services in the Quiet Room.

The Beijing Olympic Village is also an environmentally-friendly venue. Its solar-powered light and water heating systems will also benefit nearby residents after the Olympics.

And athletes will be soothed by a quiet environment in the village.

"The village has electric buses which can maintain an environment with low noise and emission levels. This embodies the idea of a Green Olympics."

On Sunday, the Olympic Village will hold ceremonies to mark its official opening. Athletes and sports officials are expected to have a good time there, as the start of the excitement of their Beijing Olympic trips.

Chen Xi, CRI News.