Construction of Beijing Olympic Venues On Schedule
The 2008 Beijing Olympics is now but months away. In the latest information to emerge regarding the construction element of the global sports event, its organisers have confirmed the development of the facilities set to host it is taking place on time. While visiting the prime Olympic Stadium - which has gained the moniker of the "bird's nest", Kevan Gosper affirmed that: "We are very happy with the progress. They are right on schedule with the construction".
Mr Gosper is the International Olympic Committee Coordination Commission's Vice President.
The main stadium will have the capacity to accommodate 91,000 spectators. Its unorthodox shape is reminiscent of a 3D bowl, and is designed to permit air to circulate freely in the hot temperatures expected to be a feature of the Beijing Olympics. Its construction will be finished by March 2008 - five months before the Olympics are due to start.
The other specially-developed facilities, including the nearby Olympic pool, are anticipated to be structurally complete before the end of 2007. While this seems to be highly ambitious on the part of the organisers, confidence is high that all will run to plan. As stressed by the organising committee's Chief of Media Operations, Sun Weijia: "It can be done."
"The workers labour in shifts around the clock, seven days per week."
The water sports facility will be able to hold 17,000 spectators. Within its construction, a cutting-edge system will act against the build up of condensation.
In further Olympic-related construction news, a new underground rail line was formally inaugurated in Beijing several days back. The new facility has been described as "a sign of [Beijing's] determination to give priority to the development [of] public transport infrastructure."
By 2008, Beijing's subway network will comprise 200 kilometres of track, in order to link up all the venues included within the Olympic programme of events.
In respect of the Olympic participants' accommodation, the Olympic Village has been praised. According to the formal German observer, Gerd Graud: "The athletes will be more than pleased with the Olympic Village, which offers nice rooms with ample space and good comfort".
Source - Construction International's Far East Correspondent
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