Dear Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honour for me to be a part of this ceremony to launch the recruitment of the Games-time volunteers for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Volunteering is at the very heart of the Olympic Movement.

Whether it is the student that gives his or her time to help at a sports event, the parent that volunteers to help coach a children's team or IOC members, who work on a voluntary basis to further the cause of Olympic values and education through sport.

One way or another, no matter the level of our involvement, we are all contributing to the promotion of the Olympic ideals.

Indeed, during the Olympic Games, the role of the volunteer is of utmost importance. The volunteers are the ambassadors of the Olympic Games and reflect the event's spirit by their words and their actions.

The volunteers for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games not only make an important contribution to the promotion of Olympic values.

They play a key role in facilitating Games operations -- from assisting in the area of transport, to media operations, to the field of play, where they help the athletes of the world compete in fair and peaceful competition.

In fact, without the volunteers, it would simply not be possible to organize the Olympic Games. It is their commitment and work ethic, mirroring those of the athlete, which make the Games the greatest celebration for the youth of the world.

Being a volunteer is a very enriching experience in general but to volunteer at the Games is often a once in a life time experience.

For those that participate here in Beijing, like the millions of other volunteers that have gone before them at previous editions of the Games, they will carry that memory with them for the rest of their lives.

That is why today, I call upon the people of China and beyond to join with us, as we work together towards welcoming the world to Beijing in 2008.

I look forward to meeting some of these Games-time volunteers in just under two years time, as they say to the world -- "Bienvenue à Beijing, Welcome to Beijing, Beijing Huan Ying Ni."

Thank you.