UNICON X - Dishijie Guoji Dulunche Dasai - August 1 to 8, 2000 - Beijing, China

Frequently Asked Questions for Unicon X

General Information

Map of the Beijing Airport and Unicon site.

Unicon X is The 10th World Unicycling Championship. It will be held in Shijingshan, China, a district of Beijing, at the Shijingshan Sports Center. The sports center is located 15 km (9 miles) west of the center of Beijing and 50 km (30 miles) from the International Beijing Airport.

This is the first time that Unicon will be held in China.

When will Unicon X be held?: Unicon X is from August 1 to 8, 2000. Arriving a few days early to get over any jet lag is a good idea. Also, plan to stay a few extra days afterwards for special guided tours that will be set up for the international unicyclists.

Who can participate in Unicon X?: Anybody who can unicycle. While many world championship sports require being qualified at a regional level before participating in the world championship, this is not the case for Unicon. Anybody can participate and the competition is set up for experts and novice riders alike.

Who are the organizers of Unicon X?: The China Cycling Association (CCA) and the International Unicycling Federation (IUF) are organizing Unicon X. Sponsors are the China International Sports Travel Company (CIST) and the China Unicycling Association (CUA). Since the CCA is part of the Chinese State Sports General Administration, a government agency, Unicon X is officially sanctioned by the Chinese government.

What is the IUF?: The International Unicycling Federation (IUF) promotes unicycling around the world. Its major goals are to assist host countries in organizing Unicons and to work toward elevating unicycling to Olympic status. For more information about the IUF, visit the IUF Website.

What is the history of the China Unicycling Association (CUA)?: The CUA has been in existence since 1993. Their existence was triggered by an IUF sponsored event, the Great Wall Unicycle Marathon. Since then they have had six Chinese Nationals. The 7th Chinese Nationals will be held just before Unicon X.
It is estimated that there are 200,000 unicyclists in China. It is currently being taught in many schools throughout China.

How many unicyclists are expected to attend Unicon X?: About 800 unicyclists are expected at Unicon X, including 500 Chinese unicyclists and over 300 international riders. The estimated breakdown of international riders, as of June 2000, is as follows: 100 from Japan, 75 from Germany, 50 from USA, 25 from Switzerland, 20 from France, 15 from Puerto Rico, 10 from Denmark, 10 from United Kingdom, and 20 from other countries.

What are the main facilities for Unicon X?

Main gym at the Shijingshan Sports Center (artistic events, hockey, basketball)
Secondary gym at the Shijingshan Sports Center (workshops, practice, and socializing)
Track at the Shijingshan Sports Center (all track events except for MUni, gliding, and the marathon)
Competition site of Chinese Bicycle Association and Chinese Motorcycle Association (Laushan) (MUni, gliding, and marathon)
Unicon X hotel, Jing Yan Hotel, is across the street from the Shijingshan Sports Center.

The Shijingshan Sports Center is a facility that falls under the jurisdiction of the City of Beijing. The main gym was built with the Olympics in mind and has seating for 5,000. It was used for the Asian Games. Other international and domestic competitions also have been held there, including the Chinese Unicycle Nationals.

The main gym will be used for the opening and closing ceremonies, all the artistic events, and basketball and hockey. Organizers are looking into whether air conditioning will be available in the main gym.

The secondary gym is smaller and is perfect for workshops, practice, and socializing. A large outdoor stadium houses the eight-lane track. This track was also used for the Chinese National Unicycle Convention.

The main gym and secondary gym are in adjoining buildings while the track is right next to the gyms.

What happened with using the Beijing Olympic Sports Center?: The Beijing Olympic Sports Center is possibly planned for renovation during August. Because of the uncertainty, other sites were considered. The current site, Shijingshan Sports Center, was selected since it has comparable facilities and is very close to MUni, gliding, and the marathon.

How much is the registration fee?: The registration fee for a competitor is $55 US. Non-competitor registration is $40 US. After June 1, a $20 US late fee will be added. Medical/accident insurance for the convention is included in the registration fee.

What and who are country/delegation liaisons?

Country or delegation liaisons are individuals who have volunteered their time to help promote Unicon X in their country or area. They will help with registration, questions, and other aspects of Unicon X. While wiring money to China should be done in groups to avoid transfer charges, it is not necessarily the responsibility of the liaison to collect and send the money. If liaisons decide to collect registration money, they may ask for an additional amount to cover wiring expenses, exchanging money, and other charges (such as a flag for their country).

The liaisons are as follows:

Australia - Julian Orbach, Julian.Orbach@unforgettable.com, 184 Cressy Road, North Ryde NSW 2113, Australia, Tel: (02) 9870 7258
Belgium - Michel Arets, yvonne.murphy@esc.eu.int, 38 avenue des Archiducs, Brussels 1170, Belgium, Tel: 02 6733184
China - Shuxiao Zhang, sportstravel@263.net, 4th Floor, Weitu Mansion, C3 Longtan Road Chongwen District, Beijing 100061, China, Tel: (010) 67117515 or 67117368, Fax: (010) 67117370 or 67117367
Denmark - Lars Lottrop, Las@unicycle.dk, Praestevejen 114, 3230 Graested, Denmark, ph. +45 20 88 52 77
France - Olivier Dupre, DUPREO@wanadoo.fr, 41 rue Hippolyte Khan, 69 100 VILLEURBANNE, France
Germany - Micheal and Christian Hoverath, Hovi.@t-online.de or 0204196357-0001@t-online.de, Germotstr. 31, 46240 Bottrop, Germany, Tel: 02041 96357
Hong Kong - Steve Dressler, UniMale@yahoo.com, Director of Unicycling Society of Hong Kong (U.S.H.K.) and Filipino Unicycling Network (F.U.N.), c/o The Unicycling Society of Hong Kong and The Filipino Unicycling Network, G.P.O. Box 4224, Hong Kong, Tel / Fax # (852) 2803-2561, Note: Any HK residents / riders, or Filipino nationals / riders (anywhere in the world) not currently members of U.S.H.K. or F.U.N., but interested in attending UNICON X may contact Steve.
Japan - Jack Halpern, jack@kanji.org, 1-3-502 3-Chome Niiza, Niiza-shi, Saitama 352, Japan, Tel: 048-481-3103
New Zealand -Harold Jarvie, hjarvie@bigfoot.com, Harold Jarvie, 54 Chelmsford St, Ngaio, Wellington, New Zealand
Philippines - Steve Dressler (see Hong Kong)
Puerto Rico - Alberto Ruiz, alberto@taino.net, PO Box 6068, San Juan, PR 00914, Phone: 787-790-1929
Switzerland - Stephan Schmid, stschmid@student.ethz.ch, Kohlschwaerzistr. 21, 5014 Gretzenbach, Switzerland, Tel. 0041 62849 2533
United Kingdom - Roger Davies, Roger.Davies@octacon.co.uk, 1 Seaham, Norton, Stockton TS20 1RT, United Kingdom, Tel: 01642 532 235, Fax: 01642 365 700
United States - Andy Cotter, cotter@skypoint.com, 1318 45th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55421-3260, Day: 612.764.4432, Evening: 612.788.9137, Mobile: 612.968.3565

How do I pay?

Since the Chinese currency, Yuan, is not an international currency, international guests will pay in the equivalent of U.S. dollars. Any international currency can be wired. In order to save money on wire transfer fees, it is suggested that money for registration be sent in for a group.

While the CUA can accept bank checks, money orders, or cashier's checks, it can delay the process by a month and add on additional charges for the CUA. Please wire money if at all possible.

Please wire money, in any international currency, to:

Bank of Communications
Beijing Branch 149
Account No.1420150727
China International Sports Travel Co.

Please send the completed registration forms to:

Unicon X
C/O Shuxiao Zhang
4th Floor, Weitu Mansion
C3 Longtan Road Chongwen District
Beijing 100061
China

Or Fax at (86) 10-6711-7367 or (86) 10-6711-7370.

Are there any airfare deals?

The China International Sports Travel Company (CIST), part of the organization team for Unicon X, has airfare prices from several major cities. If you are interested in these prices or interested in flying from other major cities, contact the CIST either by email, sportstravel@263.net, or fax at (86) 10-6711-7367 or (86) 10-6711-7370. All prices are round trip. The airline used will be China Air.

Tokyo to Beijing $815 US
New York to Beijing $865 US
Frankfurt to Beijing $817 US
London to Beijing $817 US
Los Angeles to Beijing $700 US
San Francisco to Beijing $700 US (assuming same price as Los Angeles)

Standard Disclaimer: The prices quoted are approximate and are good until June; they may change after that time. There might also be additional fees or taxes.

Where will we stay for Unicon X?

The Unicon X hotel is the Jing Yan Hotel, located across the street from the complex. On the five-star rating system, the Jing Yan Hotel is a two-star, twenty-story hotel with different levels of accommodation. It is equipped with air-conditioning. It has over 300 rooms, plus restaurants and a store in the lobby where basic essentials may be purchased, such as water and snacks.

How much is lodging at the Unicon X hotel?

While the Jing Yan Hotel has many rooms and several levels of accommodations, there is a limited number of each option. Hotel rooms will be filled in the order that the registration forms are received. The A-level rooms are of a slightly higher quality than the B-level rooms. The options per night per room are as follows:

Suite - one king-size bed - $32 US
A-Level - two rooms, one king-size bed - $33 US
A-Level - two beds - $29 US
B-Level - four beds - $26 US
B-Level - three beds - $23 US
B-Level - two beds - $25 US

Is there another hotel option?

Approximately 3 km (2 miles) from the sports center is the three-star Haite Hotel. Depending on how many people stay at this hotel, transportation at a nominal fee may be provided. Prices include breakfast and lunch. The options per night per room are:

Two beds - one person - $41 US
Two beds - two people - $48 US
Three beds - $61 US
Suite - one king-size bed or two beds - $63 US
Presidential suite - $248 US

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?: It will take approximately one hour to drive from the airport to the Jing Yan Hotel. If enough people arrive at the airport at the same time, a bus will be used to transport them to their hotel. Otherwise, a taxi is recommended. The bus cost will be approximately 35 Yuan ($8 US), and a taxi will be approximately 120 Yuan ($15 US).

How do I get to downtown Beijing from the hotel?: There is a subway station near the hotel. The subway goes directly to Tiananmen Square, the center of Beijing. There are plenty of places to eat and shop along the subway route. The cost of the subway is 3 Yuan (about $0.40 US). The subway operates until 11 p.m.

How will the meal situation work?: Unicon X will supply breakfast and lunch for $7 US a day from Wednesday, August 2, to Tuesday, August 8. For the seven days, the total is $49 US. The breakfast will be served at the Jing Yan Hotel. Unicon X organizers are negotiating with the hotel to have a western breakfast as well as a Chinese breakfast. Lunch will be catered in to the Shijingshan Sports Center. Dinner will be up to each participant and, while the cost can vary, a reasonable dinner should cost between $4 US to $7 US per person.

Will there be Western food nearby?: Besides the western breakfast planned at the hotel for the international participants, there is a McDonald's and a Kentucky Fried Chicken about 1.5 km (1 mile) away. It would take about 10 minutes to reach them by unicycle, or they are only one stop away by subway.

What are the normal temperatures in August?: The temperature in August is around 30 C (86 F). While July is the rainy month, August is not supposed to be that wet.

What languages will be used during Unicon X?: The main languages will be Chinese, English, and Japanese. If there is a need for German or any other language, interpretation will be made available.

What Unicon X merchandise can I buy?: Unicon X T-shirts ($12 US to $14 US) and Unicon X baseball caps ($3.50 US) are available for purchase on the registration form. After July 13, sizes and availability cannot be guaranteed. The T-shirt sizes will be the same as European sizes.