Qingdao gov't promises to clear algae from Olympic venue

The municipal government of the Olympic port city of Qingdao reiterated yesterday its promise to clear Qingdao’s waters of green algae by July 15, the South China Morning Post reported. More than 10,000 workers are working to remove green algae that covers 32% of the sea area set aside for Olympic sailing competitions. The algal bloom began on June 1 and thus far 170,000 tons of the algae have been removed. The algae poses no health risk, but has blocked sailing routes and threatens Olympic planning. An official with Qingdao’s Ocean and Fishing Bureau denied any "substantial link" between the algal bloom and environmental conditions or water quality.