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)