Representatives of the volunteers attend the launching ceremony of the global recruitment of volunteers for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2019. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Olympic Games officially started its global recruitment drive for Games volunteers outside the newly completed Shougang big air venue on Thursday.

After Cai Qi, president of Beijing 2022 organizing committee, opened the Volunteer Application Portal (vol.beijing2022.cn) together with 1,000 volunteer representatives, the logo of the volunteer programs was revealed at the ceremony.

Cai Qi (C), secretary of the Communist Party of China Beijing Municipal Committee and president of the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee, opens the online Beijing 2022 Volunteer Application Portal during the launching ceremony of the global recruitment of volunteers for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2019. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

According to the organizing committee, the logo draws inspiration from the universally-acknowledged sign language for "I love you," expressing dedication and love, combined with a floating curve to form a smile.

"From the very beginning of our brainstorming, we want to create something that is different from the commonly-adopted heart-shape symbol," said Xie Jianjun, who is part of the symbol designing team with more than 30 members.

Its colors of red and yellow represent enthusiasm and welcome. Gradients and twists are also applied to the symbol design to be in harmony with the Beijing 2022 emblems.

"The gesture is familiar to the public, and we added to it a sense of fashion, in the hope of attracting more young people to get involved the volunteer programs," said Lin Cunzhen, designer of the emblems.

Logo of the volunteer programs is revealed during the launching ceremony of the global recruitment of volunteers for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2019. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

The two songs for the volunteer programs were also released on Thursday, namely "Love Is Here" and "Let Dreams Fly".

Chang Shilei, composer of "Love Is Here," was one of the main composers for the Beijing 2008 opening and closing ceremonies and assisted the then music director to complete the popular theme song "You and Me."

"Involved in composing songs related to the Olympics feels like dream to me, every time," Chang said, adding that the experience is like "a rich and unexpected legacy."

"I hope people will love this song and learn more about the Olympics and volunteering through it," he added.

A video message from Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, is played during the launching ceremony of the global recruitment of volunteers for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2019. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

HOW TO APPLY

The application portal officially opened on Thursday and will close at 24:00 on June 30, 2021 Beijing Time. All applicants are requested to register and apply on the Beijing 2022 Volunteer Application Portal.

According to the organizing committee, Beijing 2022 will recruit 27,000 Games volunteers for the Olympic Winter Games and 12,000 for the Paralympic Winter Games. Some of the Olympics volunteers will continue to serve at the Paralympics.

Volunteers will be engaged in 12 work areas including international relations, competition operations, press operations and broadcasting, technology and cultural programs, providing services at/for the opening and closing ceremonies, competition and/or other events of the Games at venues or facilities in the Beijing, Yanqing, or Zhangjiakou competition zones.

Representatives of the volunteers attend the launching ceremony of the global recruitment of volunteers for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2019. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

Anyone that is willing to serve during the Games can apply as long as he/she meets the requirements:

1. Must abide by Chinese laws and regulations, be willing to serve the Games on a voluntary basis, and accept the guidance and supervision of Beijing 2022;

2. Must be minimum 18 years old on January 1, 2022 (born on or before January 1, 2004), and be in good health;

3. Must have the knowledge and skills required for their positions;

4. Must be able to effectively communicate in Chinese and/or English; and

5. Must be able to participate in all required training and provide volunteering services for the Games.

Individual applicants who are not able to access the portal may apply through correspondence with Beijing 2022 or at the public engagement and communications outlets established by authorised or designated organizations by Beijing 2022.

Apart from individual applicants, Beijing 2022 is also open to group applicants, who can apply through the authorised or designated organizations.

Artists perform during the launching ceremony of the global recruitment of volunteers for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2019. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

As explained by Yan Cheng, director of the human resources department of the organizing committee, there will be no maximum age limit. All applications will be equally treated regardless of their submission time or channel.

He also made it clear that all Games volunteer recruitment will be completed before September 30, 2021. After eligibility clearance, tests/interviews and pre-assignment, selected applicants will receive a letter of offer, which specifies their service period and position.

The selected volunteers will then go through general trainings on basics of the Games, and specialized trainings and venue trainings related to their assigned positions.

Jackie Chan (C) arrives by a driverless vehicle during the launching ceremony of the global recruitment of volunteers for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2019. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

According to Yan, Beijing 2022 has formulated policies to protect volunteers' legitimate rights and interests, and provide services including registration, transportation and accomodation.

"After more than a decade of developing volunteerism in China since Beijing 2008, we hope Beijing 2022 can be another chance to blaze new grounds for volunteering in China, especially in the hosting cities of Beijing and Zhangjiakou," Yan said. ■