Construction of the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center has been progressing smoothly with the works related to the 2006 international regatta expected to be completed by the end of this month, the center said on Thursday.

The August 18-31 regatta will feature all 11 Olympic events and will be held at the venue of the 2008 Olympic sailing competition.

At the moment, the logistics center, media center and athletes' center are undergoing fitment and finishing work, the curtain walls are being installed to the building of the Olympic Village, installation of steel structures has been basically completed at the administrative and competition management center, and entire waterworks have finished. The organizing committee for the regatta will be formally established in the near future.

The sailing event is expected to attract some 500 sailors and 150 officials form 45 countries and regions, with 350 boats to participate. About 30 countries and regions have expressed their intention to take part, and teams of Ukraine, France, Germany and Myanmar have already submitted their entry forms.
 
(BOCOG June 14, 2006)