On April 17, a Beijing Olympics Official Licensed Merchandise store opened in Qingdao, capital of East China's Shandong Province.

Located in a bustling commercial street, east of Qingdao, the store was the first officially licensed store to open outside Beijing.

It is hoped the store will help spread Olympic spirit among the people of Qingdao and encourage them to participate in the preparations for the Olympic sailing events, which the city will host in 2008. It is also intended that the store will help promote the city as China's "Capital of Sailboats."

BOCOG plans to launch other official Olympic stores in other cities across the country.

(BOCOG April 25, 2005)