An activity to collect designs for two large sports facilities for the 2008 Olympic Games, to be hosted by the Chinese capital, will be kicked off on April 2, according to a news conference held in Beijing on Sunday.

The Olympic Park and Wukesong Sports and Culture Center, now under construction, will not only serve the Olympics but also cater to the long-term development of Beijing, said Wang Wei, secretary-general of the Beijing Olympics Organization Committee.

Wang encouraged talented professionals to participate in the activity so as to leave the world a valuable Olympic heritage.

The Olympic Park, located in northern Beijing, covers a total area of 1,135 hectares and will provide half of the facilities for the 2008 Olympic Games. The park is expected to become a public venue thereafter, providing a complete set of sports, cultural, exhibition and tourism services.

The Wukesong Sports and Culture Center lies in western Beijing and covers an area of 50 hectares. Upon its completion, the center will become a public urban center mainly serving citizens in western Beijing.

The design activity will last for three months, and the results are to be announced in July 2002, after designs have been evaluated by a committee consisting of experts from the International Olympics Committee and relevant fields, according to organizers.

Participants can take part in both or either of the two design activities, and bidding documents will be available from April 2, 2002.

Registration will start at 9:00 AM April 2 and end at 17:00 PM April 15. The activity will close at 17:00 PM July 2, 2002.

The winning design for the Olympic Park will be worth US$250,000, and that for the Wukesong center will be worth US$80,000.

Details about the activity can be accessed through www.beijing-olympic.org.cn.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2002)