(QINGDAO, April 15) -- The Qingdao Olympic Village will receive its first customers next month, said Zang Aimin, deputy president of the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Committee.
Located within the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center, the village has a capacity of 400 rooms and is able to accommodate all athletes, coaches and officials for the sailing events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Zang told reporters on Tuesday.
The village will abide by the requirements of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and BOCOG and apply the same standards as the Beijing Olympic Village in terms of protocol, accommodation and reception, she said. At present, its engineering project has already completed.
Zang, who was recently appointed deputy mayor of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Village, said the team of the village will start work around April 20 to make preparations for its official opening. In May, it will receive athletes, coaches and officials for the upcoming sailing event for people with a disability. The operations will give the staff the necessary experience for the Olympic sailing events scheduled for August 9-21, 2008. After the Games, the village will be converted into a five-star hotel.
