Venues for Beijing Olympics make mark in history

(BEIJING, DEC. 26) -- Each competition venue for the Olympic Games bears hallmarks of the era. As representatives of the magnificent history of the modern Olympic movement, they demonstrate the persistent pursuit of progress, peace, and challenge. The marvelous venues created in the 100-year-long history of the modern Olympics embody the spirit of "Higher, Swifter, Stronger."

Olympic host city Beijing surprised the world with its impressive preparations in 2007. Olympic construction showed the building of unique venues with Chinese characteristics and modern design concepts. Thirty-three venues have been completed so far and four others are near completion. The venues manifest dreams of peace, friendship, unification, and progress.

Venues witness history of modern Olympics

Competition venues were not noticed by the world in the 1900 Paris Summer Olympics nor in the 1904 St. Louis Olympics, as they were held as part of the World's Fair. White City Stadium (originally known as The Great Stadium), which was built in London, England for the 1908 Summer Olympics, was the first ever venue especially designed for the Olympic Games. The stadium included an athletic track, a gymnasium, a 100 meter long, 15 meter wide swimming pool, and a cycling track with a perimeter of 666.66 meters. It was huge enough to accommodate 66,288 spectators. Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympics, claimed that the 1908 London Olympics were the first ever modern Olympics.

The construction of White City Stadium marked the modernization of venues in the history of the modern Olympics. Competition venues have showcased unique glamour and characteristics since the 1912 Stockholm Summer Olympics.

Venues for Beijing Olympic Games stun the world

The ground-breaking ceremonies of the National Stadium, known as the "Bird's Nest" and the National Aquatics Center, nicknamed the "Water Cube" marked the start of venue construction for the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Construction work was in full swing in 2005 as 11 venues began construction. As many as 33 venues were finished by the end of 2007.

Completed venues have stood the test of pre-Games events since July 1 of 2007. The venues have received an outpouring of praise from athletes, coaches, officials and spectators. The "Bird's Nest" and "Water Cube" have developed into outstanding landmarks in Beijing.

Thirty-seven competition venues and 56 training areas have been taken notice of by local citizens. The series of "Good Luck Beijing" pre-Games events signaled the coming of the 2008 Summer Games.

Beijing: A strong sense of Olympicism

The 126, 000 students that sat in on the annual college entrance examination in 2006 had to write an essay on symbols in Beijing. Olympic venues are becoming symbolic in the capital city, as their construction is finished on schedule.

Competition venues will convey to local people a sense of Olympicism before the Olympics. Locals can watch the Games in the venues during the Olympics and afterwards, enjoy fitness activities and exercise in the venues after the Games are over.

The light-blue "Water Cube" was finished on December 26 last year. The outstanding unfinished Bird's Nest is drawing the attention of the world.

The two venues are unique to overseas journalists. They are always hailed as"magical," "great," "marvelous," and"amazing."

IOC President Rogge expressed profound admiration for the "Water Cube" and the "Bird's Nest" after an inspection tour to the venues. "The Bird's Nest is the most amazing venue I have ever seen…I really look forward to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games."

As an increasing number of venues are completed, Beijing will become an Olympic paradise.

Applications for interviews flood the Beijing Olympic Media Center every day and venues will become hot topics for journalists from China and abroad.