China lines up beauties for Olympic gold

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — Hundreds of smiling beauties like Ren Chen, 16, pivoting gracefully on a pair of high heels, are being groomed by China to win hearts and minds at the Beijing Olympics.

Ren wants to show off her willowy grace in one of the most glamorous jobs of all -- presenting gold medals at victory ceremonies.

She is one of 26 teenage girls at a vocational high school in northern Beijing that trains flight attendants who are putting in extra hours to practise to be Olympic victory ceremony volunteers.

Standing still for hours in stilettos, perfecting posture by holding a piece of paper between the knees while balancing a book on the head and gripping chopsticks between the teeth, is all part of the learning process, says Ren.

"You have to bite the...