Seats for Shanghai’s ISU event almost sold out

Nearly 80 percent of tickets for next month's 2012 International Skating Union (ISU) Short Track Speed Skating World Championships in Shanghai have been sold, yet a few seats are still up for grabs, local sports authorities said Thursday.

The largest short track speed skating event after the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will see nearly 300 athletes from 32 nations and regions be welcomed at Oriental Sports Center, which has been given a new look since hosting the 14th FINA World Championships last year to serve the men's and women's 500-meter, 1,000-meter, 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter races as well as the men's 5,000-meter relay race and the women's 3,000-meter relay race.

"By hosting world-class competitions, we hope to encourage local residents to get more involved in sporting activities and become highly motivated to lead healthy lifestyles, which will not only improve their physical conditions, but also foster a stronger athletic spirit in the city," Li Yuyi, bureau chief of the city's sports administration, told reporters at a press conference Thursday.

Li added that the city is planning to bid for the China Leg of the F1 Powerboat World Championship.

Local authorities have also extended invitations to football teams from Europe to join local football games with Chinese players to reach out to the nation's growing football fans, he said.

Some 100 national or international sporting competitions are expected to be held in the city this year, among which 40 percent are slated to be world-class games, including the F1 Chinese Grand Prix in April and the ATP Masters 1000 series tournament in October.

Meanwhile, fans still wanting to get their hands on tickets to next month's speed skating event can order them through the city's official ticketing hot line at 6426-5678.