As the opening ceremony of the 29th Olympiad draws near, an eager group of journalism students from across the globe are preparing to serve as volunteer flash quote reporters for the Olympic News Service (ONS).

A number of them, from the Australian University of Newcastle, north of former Olympic host city Sydney, visited China Daily yesterday before working at the Games gathering quotes from athletes post-competition and during subsequent press conferences.

The youngsters will work at a range of sports, including swimming, the exhibition sport of Wushu, hockey and table tennis.

Since arriving in China less than a month ago, the 40 Australians from the state of New South Wales have been hosted by the Beijing Foreign Studies University and are champing at the bit to help record the pain and glory from sport's greatest stage.

"As students, we couldn't have asked for a better opportunity," second-year media student Lucas Coleman said.

"The Olympics are the centerpiece of world sport and being able to work as a flash quote reporter in Beijing is a once in a lifetime experience.

"We are learning so many skills in Beijing that are going to benefit us in our future careers."

The University of Newcastle is one of three Australian universities selected by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG).

Other Australian students working at the Games come from the University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology.

The Australians will join more than 200 international flash quote reporters from seven other universities across the globe, including 60 students from the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism in the United States.

Journalism lecturer at the University of Newcastle, Paul Scott, said the students were working hard to make sure the Olympic Games were a great success for China.

"The University of Newcastle hopes to develop ongoing teaching and research links with universities in China," he said.

"Our Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has pointed out to all Australians that strong relationships with China are imperative to the future of our country and it is through direct contact of young people - such as here at the Games - that such relationships will blossom," he said.

Ten of the students from the University of Newcastle will stay in Beijing after the Olympics to work at the Paralympics.

(China Daily July 30, 2008)