After the Olympics, the space will be transformed into the Paralympic Village. There are minimal costs involved because barrier-free facilities are already installed to welcome the Paralympic athletes.

The gate of the Olympic Village is seen in this photo taken on March 5, 2008. Covering an area of 66 hectares, the village has 42 buildings and will house 16,000 athletes, coaches and officials during the Beijing Olympic Games. The village will be officially opened on July 27 for the Olympics and August 30 for the Paralympics. [chinadaily.com.cn]

Slopes leading to the building gates and sidewalks with warnings in relief near the steps will make it easier for wheelchair users and the visually impaired. Elevator doors are wide enough to let in wheelchairs and buttons installed in horizontal lines are easy for the users to press. Armrests and stools are arranged for those with a physical disability in barrier-free bathrooms.

Facts & figures of Olympic Village  Location: north of the center axis of the city, a few minutes' drive away from the Bird's Nest  Total area: 660,000 hectares  Number of apartment buildings and units: 22 six-storied and 20 nine-storied buildings and 9,993 units  Capability: 16,000 athletes and officials  Opening time: from July 27 to August 24 for the Olympics, August 30 to September 20 for the Paralympics

The village, however, is not only a place for private enjoyment. Public gyms and recreational services are as accessible as those for Beijing residents. Parties and performances will be organized to create get-togethers for athletes from all over the world.

Temporary religious venues and 10 religious heads speaking either Arabic or English will be available for Protestants, Catholics, Buddhists and Muslims in the Village.

To ensure the "athletes' homes" are working well, 1,200 maintenance personnel will respond to any problems with the units within two hours, mostly when the athletes are away on venues. Compared with the Olympic Village, an average Beijing residential community of the same area has only 250 maintenance personnel on hand.

Worried about the language barrier in this multi-lingual village? Just think about the 40 students with a good command of foreign languages that have been drafted from top-notch Chinese universities solely for laundry reception!

An IOC member from the United States said during a visit to the village in early April that the athletes play the main role in Olympics so all the preparation work should aim to satisfy their needs. She believed the Beijing Olympic Village is a fine example of an athletes-based Olympic site.