Olympic Village begins trial operations

The Olympic Village for the Beijing 2008 Games has begun its final trial operation ahead of its official opening in one week. The Village is set to be the home of about 16,000 athletes and officials during the Games.

The Olympic Village for the Beijing 2008 Games has begun its final trial operation ahead of its official opening in one week.

It sits on the north end of Beijing's axis along which landmarks, including the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, are aligned. All roads leading to the village are now cordoned off and only vehicles carrying certificates issued by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games are allowed to enter the area.

The Village is scheduled to open officially on July 27th. During the games, shuttle buses will run between the Media and Press Center, the International Broadcasting Center and the Village.

 But volunteers have already started their work at the Village and China's four-time table tennis Olympic champion Deng Yaping will be the village's vice mayor. The Olympic Village is divided in half with the International Area in the north and the athletes' apartments in the south.

The Village is set to be the home of about 16,000 athletes and officials during the Games.