Co-host cities ready for Asian Games

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-12-03 16:52

GUANGZHOU: Co-host cities Foshan, Dongguan and Shawei are making great strides to get ready when the Asian Games begin in November 2010, organizers said on Thursday.

According to Wei Youzhuang, vice mayor of Shanwei; Mai Jiehua, vice mayor of Foshan and Zhu Yimin, deputy secretary general of Dongguan municipal government, preparations for the 2010 Games are "right on schedule" at each of the three co-host cities.

During the 2010 Asian Games, Foshan will host boxing and synchronized swimming competitions with 11 and three gold medals respectively up for grabs; Dongguan will host weightlifting competitions with 15 gold medals and Shanwei will host sailing competitions with 14 available gold medals.

Wei said that the maintenance and renovation of Shawei's Asian Games venue started on July 27 of this year and that the onshore and offshore elements (except for the breakwater) will be completed by March 2010 for the 14th Asian Sailing Championship - an official Asian Games Test Event. The entire project will be completed in August 2010.

According to Mai, Foshan established the Asian Games Preparation Committee in June 2008 and has made strategic efforts in areas such as venues, security, promotion, transport, environment, medical services and volunteering.

Zhu said that the renovation of the weightlifting venue is nearly completed with the air-conditioning facilities and information systems under preliminary testing.

The 2010 Asian Games will take place in "Flower City" of Guangzhou from November 12 to 27, 2010. More than 14,000 athletes, trainers and coaches from 45 countries and regions will compete in 42 sports.