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Foundations laid for Olympic sailing centre in Qingdao

Hein Verbruggen visits will-be Qingdao sailing marine
The foundations were laid Tuesday afternoon for the Qingdao International
Sailing Centre for the 29th Olympics in 2008 at the former location of the
Qingdao Beihai Shipyard.
The move marked the beginning of a new phase in the city's Olympics
preparations.
Qingdao will host the 2008 Olympics Sailing Regatta.
The international sailing centre covers a total area of 45 hectares, said
Qingdao Mayor Xia Geng.
It includes an Olympic village, and spots for administration, athletes,
media, logistics and security. The overall construction area will reach 77,000
square metres.
The final blueprint is the result of more than two years of research and
design by experts at home and abroad. Construction is expected to be completed
in the first half of 2006.

Construction of Beijing 2008 Olympic sailing marina starts
The international sailing centre will not only host the sailing events in
2008, but will also become a national marine sports training centre for both
athletes and enthusiasts.
To date, preparation for the construction has been going smoothly.
The preparations include a huge "green Olympic" move from 2001-05 with a
total investment of 3.4 billion yuan (US$411 million).
Chairman of the Co-ordinating Committee of International Olympics Committee
Hein Verbruggen,vice-mayor of Beijing and vice-chairman of the Beijing Olympics
Committee Liu Jingmin, and senior Qingdao officials participated in Tuesday's
ceremony.
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