The first Olympic Sailing City Mayors & International Sailing Summit Forum was held in Qingdao, a costal city of Shandong province from August 21 to 22.

More than 200 representatives from over 20 countries and regions participated in the event, including experts from International Sailing Federation, International Federation of Disabled Sailing and the European Sailing Federation, as well as mayors or vice mayors form eight Olympic sailing cities, such as those of Kiel of Germany, Brest of France, Southampton of the United Kingdom and Busan of Korea.

Under the theme of “Dancing Sails, Eternal Blue”, the forum will deal with the stainable development issue of Olympic sailing regatta host cities, study the development trend of international sailing events and build the platform of cooperation and development for international sailing sports.

The forum includes an opening ceremony, keynote speeches and main sessions and round-table dialogues. A theme dialogue titled “Future Star – The Road to Olympics” will also be held at the forum for the junior players attending the training camp (OP Class).

A Qingdao Declaration for International Sailing Activities was issued in the forum. Meanwhile, a strategic cooperation agreement among Qingdao, Kiel and Brest was signed to further enhance communication on sailing sports.

Jacques Rogge, president of the IOC sent a message to highly prize the event. He said that the forum will become a perfect platform to share and exchange information and knowledge, understanding the significance of being, or becoming, an Olympic sailing city and how to promote the development of sailing for all.

“Qingdao will, based on this platform, work with other Olympic cities and coastal cities to explore comprehensive and multi-level exchanges and cooperation, and jointly promote the development and popularity of sailing sport,” said Xia Geng, mayor of the city. The event is jointly sponsored by the Chinese Yachting Association, Beijing Olympic City Development Association and Qingdao Municipal Government. It is supported by the IOC, ISAF, Asian Yachting Federation, and the European Sailing Federation.

by Wang Qian (Chinadaily Shandong bureau)