Four Cities Added To 2008 Olympics

Beijing Olympic organisers have added an additional four cities as official co-hosts for the 2008 Summer Games.

The northern cities of Tianjin, Shenyang and Qinhuangdao and the eastern city of Shanghai will host soccer matches.

The four cities are hoping that their new status would bring urban renewal and renovation, as well as international sporting recognition.

A new 80,000-seat stadium will be built in Tianjin, the closest of the cities to Beijing, while the three other cities would refurbish existing arenas to Olympic standard.

Seven cities are now involved in the 2008 Olympics.