Sailing Springs Up in Chinese Cities
WEDNESDAY, 23 MAY 2007
China's coastal cities, including Qingdao, the host city of the Olympic regatta, are now hurriedly developing the sport of sailing, thanks in large part to the Beijing 2008 Games.
"Sailing has been springing up in China, and we have sailing clubs in many Chinese coastal cities like Dalian and Sanya," Li Quanhai, vice director of China's Water Sports governing body, said. He added that sailing will achieve a "great and sustainable development" as the Olympic regatta is approaching. Sailing is not quite popular in China unlike in European countries. Registered sailors count less than 2,000 while only 15 provinces are involved in the sport.
Lack of sailing knowledge and shortage of facilities are now being addressed by sports officials. Lin Zhiwei, vice president of Qingdao Sports Federation, said that they have already launched a plan to develop sailing in Qingdao schools. The plan aims to make over 80 percent of Qingdao students knowledgeable about Olympic regatta and sailing, while 10 percent will be directly involved in sailing.
Read more about this news story at www.english.people.com.cn.
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