BEIJING (AFP) - For women hoping to become hostesses at next year's Olympic Games medal ceremonies, here come the criteria: no tattoos, no big bottoms, and cut down on the earrings.
Tattoos and earrings tend to look sleazy, while big bottoms could stick out too much, state media reported Friday, quoting officials selecting candidates for medal ceremonies and other protocol activities.
Selection is currently under way to find hostesses for Olympic test events taking place later this year and early next year in the run-up to the August, 2008 Games in the Chinese capital.
According to the Beijing News, 208 hostesses are needed for 23 test events in a selection process which, although separate from the Olympics next year, offers successful candidates hope of being considered for the Games.
"We don't want anyone who looks in any way sleazy because that could really put athletes off," said Li Ning, principal of Beijing Institute of Protocol, who is heading the selection process.
She said experts were looking for women of uniform height with neat bottoms and minus body art and ear studs. Glossy skin was another asset.
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This article was notable for many reasons, but there was one thing that confused me - I have yet to see a Chinese with a big bottom.
My theory explaining the lack of Chinese booty begins in infancy. Chinese baby clothes are split up the bottom, so all the little kid has to do is take a squat where ever he or she happens to be. This is true even in the winter when the babies are wearing so many clothes they look like marshmallows with puffy limbs. But their tiny butts are left to weather the elements. Since they are not warmed at all, their bottoms cannot grow and they are left with nothing; just the tops of their legs.
I suppose they could be stricter with the requirements and require uniform hair and eye color...
