The centerpiece of the Olympic Green is China's new National Stadium, nicknamed the "Bird's Nest" for its curving exterior of twiglike interlocking steel beams. The innovative design was crafted by Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron, in collaboration with Chinese architects. The stadium will host the main track and field competitions and men’s soccer, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. 

 
 


Also known as the "Water Cube," the National Aquatics Center is another architectural standout on the Olympic Green. The translucent exterior “bubbles” allow sunlight to filter in and sounds of splashing water to travel out. The Water Cube will host swimming, diving and synchronized swimming events, as well as the water polo finals.

 
 

 
The National Indoor Stadium is another landmark structure on the Olympic Green, and features a design inspired by the traditional Chinese folding fan. This stadium will be the competition venue for the Olympic artistic gymnastics, trampoline and handball competitions and some of the Paralympic wheelchair basketball competitions.
 
 

 
 The Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Court was constructed with 12 sets of stands that extend outward to resemble the petals of a lotus flower. This venue is located on the Olympic Green and will host all tennis competitions.


 



Volleyball will be played at two existing venues in central Beijing, the Capital Indoor Stadium and the Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium (pictured here). Reminiscent of a stingray, the gymnasium features a dramatic wavelike roofline.

Eleven of the 37 competition venues were built specifically for the Games, all incorporating the Beijing Olympics’ key concepts: “Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and People’s Olympics.” To reflect these ideas, the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium features China's first LED display system, a rainwater recycling system and an exterior of aluminum alloy boards that helps save energy in summer and winter.  
 


 
 
Also known as the “Flying Saucer," the circular form of the Velodrome imitates the wheel of a racing bike to reflect the Olympic cycling events it will host.

 

 
 Beijing's first new venue to be completed, the Beijing Shooting Range Hall, will also likely be where the first gold medals are awarded during the 2008 Summer Games. This venue features a colorful, Olympic-themed nightscape created with lighting fixtures lining the road around the hall.




 
 Located in the suburbs of Beijing, the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park is the world's only venue of its kind to contain both flatwater and slalom courses. During the Games, 32 gold medals will be awarded at the venue for rowing and canoeing as well as open-water swimming events.
 

 
 
 
 This newly built gymnasium, located on the campus of the China Agricultural University, will serve as the venue for the wrestling competitions. After the 2008 Games, the gymnasium will become a multisport facility for university students and staff, as well as residents of the community.
 


 
 
Don't let the red exterior fool you. The Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium was built with green in mind, including environmentally friendly features that take advantage of sunlight, rainwater and fresh air. The venue will hold the Olympic judo and taekwondo competitions as well as wheelchair rugby and basketball contests of the Paralympic Games.
 


 
 
Newly built for the Games, the Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium contains advanced ventilation and air conditioning systems to meet the strict climate control standards needed for the badminton and rhythmic gymnastics competitions. After the Olympics, the arena will become the training home to the national badminton team.
 

 

Located in the Olympic Sports Center complex in Beijing, the Ying Tung Natatorium is one of the 11 existing venues that were renovated for the Games. It will host water polo competitions and the swimming leg of the modern pentathlon event.  


 

 
The Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground is one of the eight temporary venues constructed for the Beijing Olympics; 17,000 tons of sand were imported from Hainan for the beach volleyball events.





All but six of the 37 competition venues are in Beijing. Non-Beijing venues include Hong Kong Equestrian Venue, Qingdao International Marina, Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Shanghai Stadium, Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium and the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium (pictured here). This new stadium, nicknamed the "Water Drop," will host soccer matches.
 



  Source:
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