Qingdao has a new sailing emblem
As an Olympic regatta draws to a close, there is a frenzy of badge swapping and memorabilia collection and buying. Today in the Qingdao media centre we've all been given a key ring. Yeah! Yeah! 
'The Qingdao Olympic Regatta Algae Keyring.'
Guy Nowell © Click Here to view large photo
But this is a key ring with a difference. It's clear that the Mayor Xia Geng of Qingdao Xia Geng, who is also chairman of BOCOG's Sailing Committee (Qingdao), has a sense of humour.
Since June, the Qingdao algae has become part of sailing history, as each day we've seen hundreds of fishing boats continuing to remove the green slime from the Olympic course area.
Now the 2008 Beijing Olympic sailing media, all have a branch of Qingdao algae, enteromorpha prolifera, encased in a polycarbonate sail.
by Rob Kothe 
Turners Beach, TAS
