Shanghai wants to wow aquatic world in 2011

SHANGHAI: China's bustling economic hub is taking on more of an athletic sheen these days as it prepares to host the 2011 swimming world championships, the highest-profile sporting event to be held in the city.

Construction work on the Shanghai Oriental Stadium, a 2-billion-yuan project that will serve as the main venue for the worlds, will be completed by the end of next year. This gives officials ample time to iron out any unforeseen problems before the venue is given a dry run in the first half of 2011, Yu Cheng, director of Shanghai Municipal Sports Bureau, said yesterday.

The city yesterday also unveiled the official mascot, Jingjing, and emblem for the event, which takes place in July and is sanctioned by the International Swimming Federation (FINA).