(BEIJING, Sept. 17) -- The steel substructure of the National Stadium, the main stadium for the 2008 Olympic Games, was uninstalled on schedule today.

Early this afternoon, the Beijing 2008 Project Construction Headquarters Office hosted a press conference in the Beijing Olympic Media Center. After the press conference, the international and domestic media was invited to visit the magnificent construction site of the National Stadium.

It was announced that at this point, constructions are in significant progress for 26 of the 31 Olympic competition venues, and 5 other related projects are also under construction. All of the above-mentioned projects are well underway, and the main structure of the Olympic Village as well as the main structures of most new venues is expected to be completed by the end of 2006.

Progress made in the new Olympic competition venues:

1. National Stadium

Construction of the National Stadium mainly involves the installation of the steel structure. At this point, the closure of the steel structure has been completed with all the supporting beams removed.

2. National Aquatics Centre (NAC)

The main steel structure is installed on schedule; the installation of the membrane structure is still underway.

3. National Indoor Stadium (NIS)

The main structure has been completed, and the steel roof trusses are under construction.

4. Wukesong Indoor Stadium:

The construction of the main concrete structure and steel structure has been finished. The secondary structural construction and the equipment installation are well underway.

5. Beijing Shooting Range Hall (BSH)

The construction of the ammunition storage room has been completed. The installation of the glass walls, the metal roof and the interior decoration are being done.

6. Laoshan Velodrome (LSV)

The main steel and concrete structure and the steel roof structure of the main hall have been completed; the work on the metal roof of the venue and the construction of the annex structure are still in progress.

7. Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park (SRC)

Excavation of the racing courses, the mounds for the dynamic water area, main bridges, accessory buildings and the reservoir, the steel structure of the main stand have been completed.

8. China Agriculture University Gymnasium (CAG) and Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium (BTG)

The main steel and concrete structures have been finished; the installations of the steel structure are in progress.

9. Peking University Gymnasium (PKG) and University of Science and Technology Beijing Gymnasium:

Construction on the main structures is underway.

10. The Olympic Green Tennis Center

The foundation earthwork has been done; work on the surface of the center playing field is in progress.