Event to spur better public transport in Nanjing

Hosting the 2014 Youth Olympic Games will help Nanjing improve its urban traffic system, the organizing committee's deputy secretary-general said.

Inspired by the success of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee expects to upgrade the Jiangsu provincial capital's public transportation network, Xu Chuande said.

"As the host city of many domestic sports events, Nanjing boasts great sports facilities for the Olympics, but some of the city infrastructure needs to be upgraded to relieve the serious traffic congestion," Xu said.

His remarks on Feb 12 came at the launch of a global campaign to promote the culture and education program of the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games.

"Meanwhile, we also have to get more teenagers involved, not only competing at the event but also taking part in event operation and providing service.

"Working together with the preparation team to overcome challenges will help them grow while leaving a precious legacy to their future life."

To make the event a wider stage for the youth to shine, the organizing committee launched a talent contest in October titled I Want to be Part of the Youth Olympics, and has received more than 520,000 applications from teenagers worldwide by Feb 12.

Winners of the contest, which includes three stages of mass elections, regional finals and national finals, will perform at the opening ceremony of the Nanjing Youth Olympics on Aug 16.

As part of the culture and education program, the contest also features Nanjing city tours for teenager participants, who will be able to visit the Youth Olympic venues and local scenery spots.

The tour has organized almost 10,000 contest participants to visit the city since December.

Any teenager, who wants to take part in the contest and related activities should log on to qingao2014.longhoo.net to register.

The global campaign to promote the program will start with an international friendly ping-pong tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Feb 13.