Nanjing Special: Nanjing looks ahead to Youth Games

On the heels of the nation's successful 2008 Beijing Olympics, China is readying itself for another major multinational sporting event under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee in 2014.

IOC Chairman Jacques Rogge announced in 2010 that Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province, won the bid for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

Integrating sports, education and culture, the Youth Olympics is the world's top sports event for young people.

According to the organizing committee of the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics, the event will act as a stage for Eastern and Western cultural exchanges while raising the international profile of its host city.

The 2014 Youth Olympics, featuring 26 sports, will be held from Aug 17 to 28.

Fifteen competition venues will be made available in three distinct themed zones - the Olympic Center zone, the Cultural and Scenic zone and University Town zone.

Under the guidance of the IOC and the Chinese Olympic Committee, Nanjing has been preparing for the event since it won the bid.

In order to create better conditions for the event, the Nanjing government has drawn up a comprehensive support plan.

City work crews have already begun the renovation and construction of venues. Measures are being taken to improve environmental quality, update transport infrastructure, tighten security and enhance medical services.

The Youth Olympic Village will combine the Olympic spirit, Chinese culture and Nanjing's characteristics. It is also designed to be a green, low-carbon community for the young athletes.

In addition to sports competitions, the organizers have also designed culture and education exchange activities for the young people, including a walk on the city wall, an Olympic flag relay and anniversary celebrations. These events will build enthusiasm for the Games and promote the Olympic spirit, organizers say.

The 2014 Games will be a chance for the young people to learn from each other.

Modest spending

Nanjing will not spend a fortune on producing an extravagant event and is set to follow the frugal lead of London, organizers say.

"Nanjing will emulate London in the use of existing and temporary buildings when we host the Games in 2014," said Yang Weize, Party chief of Nanjing and executive president of the organizing committee.

"No new venues will be built if the old ones can be renovated. No new facilities will be purchased if old ones can be repaired. No equipment will be bought if they can be rented, and they won't be rented if they can be borrowed," Yang said after visiting London, the host of the 2012 Summer Olympics.

For the purpose, 25 out of the 34 competition and training venues will be renovated. Five temporary venues will be disassembled or replaced after the games end, and the four new ones will be opened to the public.

songwenwei@chinadaily.com.cn