Algae all clear from Olympics waters

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-7-7  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

SOLDIERS and volunteers have cleared all algae from the training area for Olympic sailors in the host city of Qingdao.

"If the weather is cooperative, athletes are able to complete their sailing course at the training areas now," Yuan Zhiping, assistant to the chairman of Qingdao Olympic Sailing Committee, said on Saturday.

The official also promised that the invading green weeds would be cleared from the competition area before July 15.

"Actually, I hope the cleaning can be completed ahead of schedule, so that the athletes will have more time to get used to the competition venue," said Yuan.

Thousands of soldiers and volunteers are still cleaning the bright green weeds that were first spotted at the end of May and started to bloom in mid-June.

Inflatable barriers have also been placed near the coastline to prevent the algae from encroaching onto the shore.

According to the emergency headquarters set up to clean the algae, its coverage in the sailing competition areas, which span more than 50 square kilometers, had shrunk from 32 percent five days ago to less than 10 percent by Friday.

But an aerial survey shows 339 square kilometers of the green growth floating along Qingdao's shoreline and parts of the Yellow Sea, authorities said. Experts are monitoring the flow of algae.

The sailing competitions are scheduled in Qingdao from August 9 to 23.