Organizers unveiled the "Watercube" swimming venue Monday, one of the more stunning structures built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Known officially as the National Aquatics Center, the Watercube has been dubbed the "cool" building of the Games. The building's design and its translucent, blue-toned outside skin make it look like a cube of bubbles -- like "bubble wrap."
Known officially as the National Aquatics Center, the Watercube has been dubbed the "cool" building of the Games. The building's design and its translucent, blue-toned outside skin make it look like a cube of bubbles -- like "bubble wrap."
Forty-two gold medals will be handed out at the Watercube during the Olympics, which start Aug. 8.
After a little more than three years of construction, the facility was officially handed over to the Beijing organizing committee, with President Liu Qi on hand.
After a little more than three years of construction, the facility was officially handed over to the Beijing organizing committee, with President Liu Qi on hand.
Liu and Beijing mayor Guo Jin Long both dipped their hands into the competition pool and seemed satisfied at Monday's brief unveiling ceremony. Guo even put the pool water to his lips.
The venue has 6,000 permanent and 11,000 temporary seats. Like the 91,000-seat National Stadium -- the "Bird's Nest," which will be completed in March -- both are seen as works of art and will anchor the Olympic Green area.
While some argue the gargantuan "Bird's Nest" could become a white elephant, the Watercube has been built to be converted to a shopping area and leisure center with tennis courts, retail outlets, nightclubs and restaurants.
"This building was designed for use after the games," said John Pauline of PTW Architects, one of the lead architects on the Watercube. "We were looking at 30 or 40 years from now."
The venue has 6,000 permanent and 11,000 temporary seats. Like the 91,000-seat National Stadium -- the "Bird's Nest," which will be completed in March -- both are seen as works of art and will anchor the Olympic Green area.
While some argue the gargantuan "Bird's Nest" could become a white elephant, the Watercube has been built to be converted to a shopping area and leisure center with tennis courts, retail outlets, nightclubs and restaurants.
"This building was designed for use after the games," said John Pauline of PTW Architects, one of the lead architects on the Watercube. "We were looking at 30 or 40 years from now."
The outside skin is made of the Teflon-like material known as ETFE, or ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene. Composed of two layers, it's separated by an interior passage that allows the building to breathe like a greenhouse.
The Watercube will host a test event this week. Though it hasn't drawn a top field, at least one swimmer can't wait to test the water.
"It's an important meet for me," said Swedish sprinter Stefan Nystrand. "I think it's great to be here since it's the same pool as the Olympics. I don't know why more top guys aren't showing up."
"It's an important meet for me," said Swedish sprinter Stefan Nystrand. "I think it's great to be here since it's the same pool as the Olympics. I don't know why more top guys aren't showing up."
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