More than 5,000 translators are on standby for this summer's Olympic Games to ensure nothing gets lost in translation, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympics (BOCOG) said on Thursday.

Zhao Huimin, director of BOCOG's international relations department, told reporters that BOCOG will provide 53 language services besides the official languages, French and English, of the International Olympic Committee, during the Aug. 8-24 event.

"We have recruited over 5,000 translators of all the 55 languages through various channels," Zhao said. "Most of them are Beijing-based university students."

All 205 National Olympic Committees affiliated to the IOC have confirmed that they will participate in the Beijing Games.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2008)