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Qingdao: Sailing venue
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Businesses and residents in the Olympic sailing venue in Qingdao are worried they will miss out on big business opportunities due to intense security at the venue, while the sailors themselves face a tough task on the water.
A huge army presence has been in Qingdao, mainly in a bid to clear away the green algae from the port that threatened to interfere with the Olympic regatta, starting on August 9.
With visa restrictions and high security aimed at the Games passing without incident, local hoteliers and businesses claim that they will miss a big opportunity.
"People here are already talking of a missed Olympic opportunity," said Nigel Edwards, general manager of the Copthorne Hotel, one of Qingdao's six official 2008 Games hotels.
"The authorities have created a situation where no one comes, so they can control what happens. All they want to do is hold an incident-free Games. They really don't care about the financial aspect."
Investments
A sparkling new marina has been built at the port, along with huge investment into new luxury apartments and shopping malls around the city.
However, although the Olympics will leave Qingdao as a major sailing venue the tourism industry is not booming as it should.
"Business is much poorer than in past years," said Liu Lihua, manager of Qingdao Weilanhai Tourism.
"There are obviously fewer tourists because of the new Olympic regulations."
Although the Olympic authorities are trying hard to promote sailing, the increased security and red-tape involved for spectators means that not many will be attending.
"The administrative approvals to have people watching on the water or hold corporate events around the venue are just too complicated," said Adrien Magnan, from Shanghai-based Marine Dragon Consulting.
Disappointed
"We were quite disappointed as we thought it would be quite an opportunity for us.
"They are really trying hard and putting big money into it. Things are happening.
The market is still small, but they are pushing sailing at the grassroots, which is good."
One thing the hosts cannot do too much about, even though they may try, is the sailing conditions which in August see strong currents and light winds.
"It's China. It's always going to be a challenge," said Iain Murray, from the Australian team.
"The Olympic facilities are unbelievable, but we're here to race."
