OLYMPICS/ Spotlight
It's ready, go for Games in Shanghai
(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-28 14:12
Venues ready for action
This city's stadiums and sports venues are ready for the Special Olympics in Shanghai. The city has spent 500 million yuan ($66 million) renovating old buildings, which are located across the city's 19 districts and counties. It was the largest renovation project in a decade. It also built three new venues.
"Since the completion of the Special Olympics Invitational Games last year, which was a dress rehearsal for the Games this year, we have been focusing on preparations for the Shanghai Summer Games to be held between October 2 and 11," Li Weiting, deputy director of the Shanghai administration of sports, said.
In total there are 30 sports venues for the Games, including Shanghai Stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies will take place.
The stadiums have added some disabled access facilities and a Games Management System, which will be used to score athletes' performance during the Games.
The areas surrounding the arenas have also been spruced up, Li said.
The new stadiums are the Shanghai Sunshine Soccer Field, in Songjiang District; the Shanghai Pudong Baseball Field and the Pudong Yuanshen Sports Development Center.
In Minhang District, where more than 500 athletes, coaches and officials will stay during the 10-day event, all the sports venues and hotels are ready for action.
Additionally, clinics, lounges for the participants, coffee rooms and other venues are ready to welcome their special guests. Clear signs for directions, maps and facilities for disabled individuals are all in place.
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