Qingdao, the venue for sailing events of the 2008 Olympic Games, is ready to host an International Regatta from August 18 to 31, organizers said in Beijing on Monday.

 

"As the athletes' center, media center and other land facilities as well as water works such as the floating dock have been completed already, the marina now can meet the requirements for the upcoming sailing competitions," Zang Aimin, deputy mayor of Qingdao, told a press conference.

 

The Qingdao municipal government has worked out a complete set of city operation outlines and the rehearsal had been done by the end of July, said Zang, who is also executive vice-president of the Sailing Committee for the 2008 Games.

 

Up to date, 466 sailors and 302 boats from 41 countries and regions have confirmed participation in the regatta, which serves as a test event for the Olympics.

 

Qingdao is a coastal city in east China's Shandong Province.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2006)