Organizing Committee Visits ISAF

Representatives from the Organizing Committee of the 2008 Olympic Games visited the ISAF Secretariat on Friday 10 December, taking the opportunity to give an update to ISAF President Göran PETERSSON.

The meeting opened with congratulatory remarks to Göran, wishing him success during his term.

As sailing is being held at a remote venue, the 29th Olympiad Organizing Committee Sailing Sub-committee has been formed, as a branch office of Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee. The Sailing Sub-committee will have 100 personnel in employment by 2008, and currently has 40 staff working.

The masterplan of the sailing venue was agreed with ISAF and will leave a legacy to the city of Qingdao through the regeneration of the waterfront area. Development of the venue is progressing well, with all infrastructures and facilities currently under construction.

The entire site for the sailing venue is being developed from a ship terminal, and the environmental impact of the development has been high on the Organizing Committee’s agenda, with, as for all sports, a department of the Sailing Committee responsible for Environmental issues in Qingdao.

Aside from the venue development, focus has been on generating publicity and promoting Qingdao‘s role as host city, recruiting volunteers, improving the sailing knowledge and awareness of staff and volunteers, and improving English skills.

As an Olympic venue, the Organizing Committee representatives spoke of the fantastic opportunity Qingdao has to accelerate social development and upgrade the city’s infrastructure.

Qingdao is twinned with the cities of Brest, France and Southampton, Great Britain and representatives will be working with both these cities to develop Qingdao as the “sailing city” of China.  This focus will also see the building of sailing clubs and increased development of sailing in the region.

There will be two test events for the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition, in 2006 and 2007 at a similar date to the Games.  The 2008 Olympic Games will take place in Beijing, China from 8 to 24 August 2008.

Responding to the presentation, Göran PETERSSON commented, “The 2008 Olympic Games is a fantastic opportunity to develop sailing in China. ISAF will support the Organizing Committee in all endeavours.”

ISAF will be making a site visit to Qingdao in January 2005, with the main objectives being to review venue development progress and the ongoing programme to educate and train volunteers.