OLYMPICS / Olympic Nation

'Yes We can' - Qingdao gets ready for Olympic sailing

Xinhua
Updated: 2008-08-05 19:31

 

"Foggy days in August will be 12 days less than in July. So far, we have not forecast any unfavorable weather that would affect the sailing competition," he said.

Smiles from the 1,800 event volunteers at the sailing center also created a friendly environment for the sailors. Among these volunteers, many are students studying abroad and some are foreigners.

Chu Siyao, 20, is a sophomore from the King's College, University of London. She chose to spend her summer vacations volunteering in Qingdao as a flash quote reporter.

"When I was abroad, I felt some foreigners had some misunderstandings and confusion about China. So I want to use my overseas experiences and my Chinese culture background to help the East and West know each other better," said the girl, who has stayed in London for six years.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me," said Maggie Steckiel, a 22-year-old American volunteer for the Olympic News Service, who studied Chinese in the Qingdao-based Ocean University of China.

"The Chinese people have done a great great job here. Hope I could help with the volunteer service and promote sailing in China, " she said.

The citizens of Qingdao also jumped in the preparation to sail their city to Olympic glory. Since August 1, smoking has been banned in public places in Qingdao. For taxi driver Wang Kelin, he not only reminded himself not to smoke in the taxi, but also advised his passengers against smoking.

"Citizens represent the city best. We shall let our foreign guests feel a friendly and comfortable sailing city," said Wang.

"Yes we can," said Wang Wei, vice president of the sailing committee (Qingdao) of the BOCOG, at a press conference on Qingdao's preparation for the Olympic sailing.

"Qingdao will present to the world a high-level Olympic sailing regatta with distinguishing features," he said.

 

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