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Debbie Mason

Hou Rui, 23, was happy to get a job in the largest adidas store in the world. Adidas was the first shop to open in 'The Village', a brightly-coloured mall developed by Swire Properties in the heart of Beijing's bar and embassy district of Sanlitun. Hou, a Harbin native, has been living in the capital for three years.
What are your responsibilities?

I deal with customer relations. I assist VIPs or government officials who come to the store. 

How can you tell if they are important?

You can soon find out by what they say.

Do you get many of these people?

Not really! So I help other customers, too.

When you came here three months ago, the building was nowhere near finished. What did you think of it?

It was so strange, this huge building was empty, there was nothing here. But then the clothes retailers opened their shops and it felt better. And you know, there's an adidas slogan - 'Impossible is nothing'. Now we are open and it looks great.

How do you feel about working for one of the Beijing Olympics sponsors?

I'm very happy. Not only are they sponsors, they are also a sportswear company so it's got everything to do with the Olympics. Even if they don't take part in sports, young people wear adidas clothes. They are so famous. 

Do you play sports?

 No, not any more, though I used to do a bit of yoga. I'm concentrating on improving my English. At the moment I can understand pretty much what the foreigners say, but I cannot speak the language properly. I think it's very important to learn English.

You're obviously happy about the Beijing Games?

Of course, yes. For the Olympics to be held in China, our own country, is so important, especially for young people. I believe in my country.

Where were you when the announcement was made that Beijing had won the bid to host the 2008 Olympics?

I was at home in Harbin watching TV. Actually I wasn't surprised at all 'I already knew Beijing was going to get the Olympics. It wasn't a surprise but I was over the moon anyway.

What's the atmosphere here at adidas now?

Put it this way. If you're not happy, you just come to work and it will lift your spirits. We are all working as a team, there is no pressure. We work together and we are all really looking forward to the Games. It's brilliant!




Hou Rui