BEIJING'S Olympic Village is expected to open on July 20 next year, about half a month ahead of the opening ceremonies for the grand event, a Beijing-based newspaper reported today.

The construction of the village will focus on the needs of both the Olympic Games and the following Paralympic Games, said Deng Yaping, former world champion in table tennis and now the vice head of village department with Beijing's organizing committee.

"We lowered the height of the clothes racks in wardrobes and use U-shaped handles," she told the newspaper.

"We won't change furniture in rooms to cut cost," she added. "Athletes, judges and officials will use the same furniture sets."