Right outside our hotel, from early morning until after midnight, there is a very straight line of Olympic volunteers. Neatly kitted out in their blue and white uniforms they stand, at evenly-spaced distances, looking straight ahead.

Today, exceptionally and perhaps because there is lashing rain, some are standing close together under umbrellas. Up until now it had struck me how rigid they were, never slouching or chatting.

Some organisers put the total figure of official volunteers at 300,000, with 75,000 lucky ones being stationed near, though not necessarily in, the Olympic Stadiums.

The official volunteers have given up their summer to help China put a friendly face on the Games, but even people who did not get picked are trying to find ways to show to the world that China is ready to welcome them.

'Volunteers using their skills for Games' posted by FRANCE 24 on YouTube