Lights, sculptures and Olympics enliven coastal city

The Olympic atmosphere is heating up in Qingdao as the coastal city prepares to host the sailing competition of the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games.

Sculptures, billboards and posters about the regatta can be found all over the city. Tourists and local residents are having photos of themselves taken with the sculptures, at the Olympic Sailing Center and by the countdown clock for the Olympic Games.

At May Fourth Square, the central square of Qingdao, the large May Wind sculpture that looks like a torch has been newly painted.

More than 50 streetlights 8.8 m high on Donghai West Road along the torch relay route have been decorated in the shape of the torch.

The city's commercial street in the Shibei District is ornamented with lights in different shapes - Chinese knots, fans, and "Lucky Cloud" lanterns.

At night, large screens on high buildings display the "One World, One Dream" slogan and regatta images.

A 7,000 sq m display on the glass curtain of the Golden Plaza on Hong Kong Middle Road depicts a sailing symbol and two competitors battling the waves.

To the east of the No 2 Gate of the Sailing Center, the sculpture Connecting the Olympics is almost complete. The oval sculpture is expected to become a noted Olympic legacy.

As well, sculptures for different sports and the Fuwa Olympic mascots line both sides of Hong Kong Road and grace squares and parks around the city.

(China Daily 07/03/2008 page24)