The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic GamesAugust 8-24 2008
Full coverage: Press conference on preparation work for Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park
(BEIJING, August 7) -- On Thursday, the press conference on "Preparation work for Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park" was held at Beijing's Main Press Center. Mr. Xin Qunying, deputy director of the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park, and Mr. Zhang Xiangdong, vice director of Shunyi Management Committee of Olympic venues attended the press conference. Both spoke about the work done at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park in preparation for the Games.
Olympic rowing, canoeing, kayaking, and marathon swimming events will be held at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park, where a total of 32 Olympic gold medals will be awarded. The Park is located at the eastern side of Xiangyang Gate of Chaobai River in Shunyi, a 30-minute drive from the center of Beijing. The venue covers a 163 hector area with a total construction area covering 32,000 square meters.
A total of 552 athletes from 47 teams and 60 countries will compete on 207 boats in the various rowing events held at the Park. There are 82 athletes representing 29 different counties competing in all canoe/kayak slalom events. An additional 246 athletes will compete in the flat-water events. The open water marathon swimming events will host 50 athletes, 25 men and 25 women, representing 28 countries. Over 1500 volunteers will service the venue.
The park was designed to embody one of this year's three Olympic themes, 'the people's Olympics,' 'high-tech Olympics' and 'green Olympics.' The venue's design also embodies Chinese cultural characteristics.
The Park was also designed in consideration of the individual visitor. The park's architects created an environment that caters to the comfort and need of all Olympic guests. Handicapped facilities allowed all visitors access to the park.
In the press conference, Mr. Zhang Xiangdong talked about the parks greenery and sanitation in addition to water quality and conservation. "We planted a lot of green plants and flowers. As for the plants, we planted those that are easy to grow. We also try to plant the plants that can help preserve water sources and prevent the sand," stated Mr. Zhang. Even after the game, the park will be used to serve the people of Beijing, become the largest water sports training base in Asia
Zhang also spoke of their readiness for the Games: "All the facilities and equipment and landscaping have been installed in place. All the transitions for the different events have been practiced a couple of times and are up to the standard set by the Olympic Games."
