Triathlon Venue passes strict inspection process

View of dragon gazebo from west side of the dam

(BEIJING, September 11) -- Recently after the delivery of the Triathlon Venue in the picturesque setting of the Ming Tombs Reservoir in Changping, Zhang Xinsheng, Deputy Director of the Changping District Development and Reform Commission, talked about the evolvement of the venue.

Because the Olympic Triathlon events will take place in the reservoir, the temporary Triathlon Venue will affect and be affected by the reservoir's management and operations. Therefore, the Triathlon Venue must meet strict guidelines and be approved by the Beijing Water Authority.

Under the guidance of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), the Beijing Water Authority and the builders contracted experts to inspect the construction process on three occasions.

The height of the transitions platform and other adjustments to the venue were made according to the recommendations of the experts. Also, the location of the transitions platform has been moved to the bottom of the dam. The Ming Tombs Reservoir Hydraulic Power Plant will control the water level during competitions depending on the upstream conditions.

The surrounding track is constructed from a cuplock scaffolding structure and plastic that will allow for easy disassembly requiring fewer than five hours. This is the first time a track of its kind will be used for an international competition.