Teens Take on Beijing

The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XIXX Olympiad (that’s the BOCOG to you) has planned every detail of this summer’s Olympics – right down to the ideal dimensions of a smile. Over 1,000 young Chinese women volunteering as Olympic hostesses will have to follow guidelines on everything from their grins (when you smile, show six to eight teeth, but make it natural!) to their weight (no more than 120 lbs).

Shawn Johnson

Shanaze Reade

Chen Ruolin

At one school near Beijing, teen girls trained to increase their chances of being selected as hostesses; they took classes on makeup application, balanced books on their heads, and held paper between their knees to perfect their posture.

The hostesses will get to mingle with some of the world’s greatest athletes as escorts, caterers, and even medal presenters, but the perks of the job can’t make up for its superficial requirements.

Don’t worry, though, there will be plenty of other teens in Beijing doing a lot more than looking good—some may even win the gold.

The Olympic Youth Camp is a 12-day program which will bring together 480 teenagers from all over the world to go on tours, take field trips, and volunteer. They’ll celebrate the Olympics not only as an athletic showcase, but also as a time and place for cultures to converge.

The Green Long March, dubbed China’s largest youth conservation movement, is an April-to-October tour of the country. Students and volunteers are raising environmental awareness and revisiting successful conservation efforts from recent years.

And what would the Olympics be without athletes? Each of these teen girls is headed to the 29th Summer Olympics before her 20th birthday.

Chen Ruolin – This 16-year-old hopes for a home court – or pool – advantage as she competes in two diving events for China.

Shanaze Reade – At 19, Shanaze has been beating the boys in BMX racing for almost 10 years. She’ll ride for Great Britain in this sport’s Olympic debut.

Jordan Mouton – Jordan, a college freshman with visual impairments, will represent the U.S. in judo at the Paralympic Games.

Mehboba Ahdyar – Sadly, this 19-year-old Afghani track star won’t actually be competing in the Olympics, but her accomplishments are more than medal-worthy. Mehboba was the only woman on an Afghani Olympic team, but death threats from political and religious extremists recently forced her to withdraw from the Games.

Shawn Johnson – At just 16, U.S. gymnast Shawn Johnson has already proven that she’s the one to beat in Beijing by winning the All-Around Gold Medal at the 2007 World Championships.

Keep your eye out for these future stars!!