Li says her school is doing its bit to mould well-mannered, natural communicators to deal with foreign guests.

“This is a huge opportunity for them. The Olympics will put them in front of the world’s audience and lead to a life-time of fortune,” Li said. That is, if they make the grade.

Not unlike the more than 800,000 Chinese who have applied for only 100,000 Olympic volunteer positions on offer, the competition to become one of the coveted 380-odd medal presenters is cut-throat.

Applicants are also up against biological constraints. “Girls must be at least 1.63 metres tall... There are no real weight restrictions but they mustn’t be too heavy,” Li said, citing selection criteria.

While Zhao Dongming, the department’s director, said the guidelines were so applicants could “fit into the uniforms being provided”, rights groups have cried discrimination.

“In planning the Olympics, officials at the highest levels of government should publicly condemn discrimination rather than reinforce harmful stereotypes and unfair hiring practices,” Brad Adams, Asia Executive Director of Human Rights Watch said.

Apart from common-sense communication tips, students are also informed the perfect smile consists of “only showing the eight top teeth,” according to 17-year-old student Li Bogeng, who wants to make cocktails for IOC officials.