"I am so happy to have the chance to participate in the Olympics in my hometown in my old age," 71-year-old Zhong Yumin told China Daily.

"It is really a once-in-a-life-time opportunity," she added.

"I like singing very much. Every morning I join the amateur choir to sing for the Olympics at Music Square," she said.

"I just want to participate in the Olympics in the best way I can," she said.

Zhong is a member of the Little Grass Choir that like its name started at the grassroots level among a group of retired workers.

All its members have a passion for singing. Their slogan is "cheering the Olympics with our songs".

"We prepared more than 10 English songs. When the foreign visitors pass by, hearing us singing English songs, they joined us," said Zhong.

Citizens like Zhong participating in the Olympics with their own ways can be seen throughout Qingdao.

Shang Jieqing, a quality inspector for Haier Group, has been learning English in her spare time over a year.

"The Olympics presents Qingdao the opportunity to become internationally famous. I do hope I can introduce the city and the Chinese culture to the world and English helps," she said.

Jiang Xiucheng, a bus driver, said he lost the opportunity to watch the sailing competition because of his work requirements.

"It is a pity that I could not cheer for the Chinese sailors competing on the venues," he said.

"But what I can do is to work well, presenting the passengers my best service and taking all of them safely to their destinations," he said.

When city volunteer Wang Tiantian arrives at her work place at the No 2 gate of the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, the furnishings are very simple - one desk and four chairs under an awning.

Wang is a sophomore of Qingdao University, as a clinical major. As an emergency aid volunteer, she can make full use of her knowledge.

"Every day we work here for eight hours, although sometimes I am really exhausted after the day, I do feel honored that I can serve so near to the Olympic areas," said Wang.

Qingdao has 2,100 Games volunteers, 1,000 city volunteers and 10,000 social volunteers.

The number who registered to be volunteers reached 420,000 for the Olympics and Paralympics.

As the Games approaches its end, citizens' smiles, civilized manners and enthusiasm have left deep impressions on the athletes, company officials and the overseas media.

Hein Verbruggen, chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, spoke highly of Qingdao.

"Qingdao locals' enthusiasm in participating in the Olympics really impressed me a lot. From the mayor to the normal citizen, they are all devoted," he said.

(China Daily August 22, 2008)