Beijing Olympics organizers plan to set up 26 cultural squares
across the city where local citizens and visitors can enjoy the
greatest sporting event on Earth.
Big screens are to be erected at each of the squares to relay
live broadcasts of the Olympic Games, and various performances and
exhibitions, Olympic-themed souvenir exchanges will also be held at
the squares.
People have free access to these squares which will operate from
June 23 to the close of the Paralympic Games in September, said the
Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Games (BOCOG).
"These squares will help promote Olympic spirit and create
festive atmosphere in the city," said Zhao Dongming, director of
BOCOG's cultural activities department.
Similar squares will also be set up in the six Olympics co-host
cities -- Qingdao (sailing), Hong Kong (equestrian), Tianjin,
Shanghai, Qinghuangdao and Shenyang (all soccer).
(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2008)