(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-22 22:03

BEIJING -- The organizers of the Beijing Olympics plan to set up 26 cultural squares next August across the city where local citizen and visitors can enjoy the greatest sporting event on Earth.

Big screens are to be erected at each of the squares to relay live broadcasts of the Olympic Games, and various performances and exhibitions, Olympic-themed souvenir exchanges will also be held at the squares.

"These squares will help promote Olympic spirit and create festive atmosphere in the city," said Zhao Dongming, director of the cultural activities department of the Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee (BOCOG), on Saturday.

Similar squares will also be set up in the six Olympics co-host cities - Qingdao (sailing), Hong Kong (equestrian), Tianjin, Shanghai, Qinghuangdao and Shenyang (all soccer).