Beijing on Wednesday named the nine girls who survived the city's tough 'boot camp' and will get to present Olympic medalists with their silverware at Beijing 2008.

Sixteen-year-old Hao Jingyu is one of the nine Chinese girls selected to serve as Olympic hostesses. [China Daily]

The girls, all aged from 16-17 and hovering around 170 cm in height, went through four grueling rounds of interviews and many more hours of balancing books on their heads and practicing their perfect smiles at Beijing Changping Vocational School before being selected.

"I feel so lucky to be on the list. I want to show my sincere smile to our guests," said Beijing-born Hao Jingyu.

The press conference at which the girls were unveiled was attended by about 100 local and foreign reporters, testament to the huge interest the local beauties have spawned here. More hostesses have yet to be named.

Sixteen-year-old Hao and her eight successful classmates got a dry run of what to expect this summer at two pre-Olympic test events last year.

They will also serve at a swimming test event at the Water Cube, or National Aquatics Center, in early February after it opens its doors later this month.

The selection process for aspiring hostesses is continuing at more than 10 schools nationwide.

"As the Games draw closer, we will find out exactly how many hostesses we need," said Li Zhanjun, director of the Beijing Olympic Media Center.

"But the experience of these hostesses during the Good Luck Beijing test events will be a great reference for the real Olympic competitions this summer."

Even those who were not selected expressed optimism about their future careers.

"I am very disappointed not to be on the list, but I still have my dream of being a flight attendant or going to college," said Wang Hong.