QINGDAO plans to spend more money upgrading sports infrastructure and cultivating sporting talent from now until 2015, according to the city’s sports authorities.

    Residents will be encouraged to take regular physical exercises to keep fit.

    The city will build more sports facilities so that urban residents can walk to a gym within eight minutes from their homes. Rural communities would also have fitness centers.

    The authorities said they expected more than 55 percent of Qingdao residents to take physical exercises regularly in 2015.

    The city also eyes more trophies in various sports by introducing better training and top coaches.

    The sports bureau aims at a top-8 ranking in medal standings at the 2011 National City Games. Qingdao wants to take first place in the 2014 Shandong Provincial Games, also hoping more athletes will earn a place in the 2014 London Olympic Games. Qingdao athletes are traditionally strong in swimming, archery, weightlifting, sailing and table tennis.

    With more investment from the city government, the sport industry is expected to employ more people and contribute more to the city’s GDP. More stadiums will be built for future games, training and leisure activities.

    The city will host more international sports competitions such as the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. It will also reform its athlete management system so that the athletes have better social welfare coverage. (Tina Chen, Sun Fei)