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36
Days Until Opening Ceremonies
DON'T FALL IN
To host the Olympic sailing events, the port city of Qingdao moved a massive boat yard, relocated industries and spent about $850 million on improvements.
But with little more than a month to go until the Games, a different challenge is cropping up: A forest of blue-green algae is choking the coastal waters, suffocating beaches and lying in thick layers along sailing routes.
Authorities have ordered an all-out drive to clear it and block any further drifting.
City officials say they'll need at least two weeks to clear coastal waters, mobilizing 10,000 workers aboard 1,000 boats. It wasn't clear how they planned to block other algae from drifting in.
Blue-green algae blooms when nutrients, sometimes caused by excessive pollution, build up in water. China has had a number of similar outbreaks in recent years, mostly on inland lakes, largely as a result of severe pollution from industrial sources, farm chemicals and domestic sewage. Along the coast, red tides of microscopic algae have forced fishing industry shutdowns.
Officials say the Qingdao blossom poses no health threat. However, some algae can produce dangerous toxins and if ingested can cause vomiting, respiratory failure and, on rare occasions, death.
The cleanup is expected to be completed by July 15, the state-run New China News Agency said.
JAPAN HOSTS OLYMPIANS
Teams from 24 countries, including the United States, Canada and Germany, have decided to set up training camps in Japan ahead of the Olympics, according to a survey.
Concerns about air pollution, food safety and potential political tension in China, as well as access to top training facilities in Japan, were among the reasons listed for selecting Japan in the poll conducted by Kyodo News Agency. It compiled the tally through a nationwide survey of government offices and sports facilities.
CALENDAR
| Date | Event (Site) |
| Monday | Diving -- U.S. roster completed |
| July 16 | Baseball -- U.S. roster announced |
-- From Staff and Wire Reports
