Nationwide celebration as countdown begins

A host of mass activities and sports-related events were held across the country yesterday, as the country marked one year to go to the start of the 2008 Olympics.

In Tianjin, more than 10,000 people gathered near the Olympic Sports Center before setting off on a 5-km walk around the ancient city, which will host 12 men's and women's soccer matches at next year's Games.

A senior official from China's Mass Sports Administrative Center was full of praise for the enthusiastic walkers.

"Tianjin is the nearest host city to Beijing, so the support and participation of Tianjin people is significant," Gong Yemin, vice-director of the center, said.

In Qingdao, which will stage the Olympic sailing events, Mayor Xia Geng unveiled a one-year countdown clock in the city's Wusi Plaza before announcing the start of a host of events.

These included an Olympic torch exhibition and a mass swim across the Huiquan Gulf, which attracted some 10,000 participants.

Volunteers and officials were also gearing up for the start today of the 2007 Qingdao International Regatta, which is also one of several Olympic test events.

But the countdown celebrations were not restricted to people in host cities.

In Yinchuan, Northwest China, more than 1 million people gathered for an early-morning workout, while in Chengdu, Southwest China, 2,008 cycling enthusiasts took part in a 62.5-km ride to promote the "Green Olympics" message.

Former Olympic long-distance running champion Wang Junxia, who led the group, said the event was being held to demonstrate the Olympic spirit as well as to promote the sport of cycling.

Xinhua

(China Daily 08/09/2007 page6)