Olympic ushers train hard

Dozens of young students in Beijing are undergoing grueling training to become Olympic ushers. As representatives of China, the trainees must be attractive and charming. And the high standards of the Beijing Games means the students must train hard to meet the selection criteria.

China has a new army: it's elegant, charming and it marches in high heels.

Competition for places on the course was fierce, and only 32 were chosen to train as ushers at this school.

All the girls must be tall and slim to suit the uniform. Most importantly, they must have perfect smiles and smiling is obligatory, at all times.

Trainee Li Miaomiao said, "Now we all just smile naturally. When we started it used to hurt, our cheek muscles used to get sore but as we kept going it became easier."

The competition doesn't stop here, several schools in Beijing are training platoons of ushers. The coveted role is part of the Olympic medal ceremony, and only a handful of young women will eventually be picked.