Now studying her second year of a communication degree at the University of Newcastle Maree, who was school captain at McCarthy Catholic College in 2005, was one of 150 students who applied to work as a volunteer at the Beijing Olympics.

“Sixty students were interviewed and then selected students underwent tests and debates with Chinese BOCOG officials,” Maree said.

“Forty students were chosen in the final group.”

Maree will work as a flash quote reporter (FQR) for Olympic News Service for the duration of the Olympic Games.

“I will interview and collect quotes from the winning athletes after their events and competitions from my designated sports,” she said.

“Then I have 10 minutes to process the quotes into a computer system especially designed for the games before the quotes are sent to the main press centre in Beijing for journalists to use in their designated papers to be distributed throughout China.”

Maree has been designated a role as an FQR for badminton and rythmic gymnastics which will be held in the Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium.

“Next week we will also have some pre-game news stories published.

“I’m working on a piece on the journey of a shuttlecock, how are they made, who

supplies them for the games, a bit of an interest piece,” she said.

Since arriving in Beijing two weeks ago she has attended official Olympic Games functions in China and has also participated in some sight-seeing activities.

“We have seen the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, The Drum and Bell Tower.

“So far it has been an amazing experience. I can’t wait for the Olympics to commence and become a part of the largest sporting event in the world,” Miss Hancock said.