Qingdao uses underwater robots to ensure Olympic safety

Special report: 2008 Olympic Games BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic co-host city Qingdao has applied underwater robots and video cameras to ensure safety of the upcoming Olympic sailing competitions, the event organizers said on Friday. "The naval forces had launched underwater monitoring system, including setting underwater video cameras, robots and divers in the open port, to watch potential threats," said Qingdao vice mayor Zang Aimin, also vice chairperson of the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Committee. The Olympic sailing events run from Aug. 9 to 23 in Qingdao, a coastal city in east China's Shandong Province. Some 400 athletes from 65 countries and regions will compete for 11 gold medals. Zang said that the massive algae bloom threatening the Olympic sailing venue had almost been cleared, with only 0.1 square... [read full story]