http://images.beijing-2008.org/20070428/Img214043038.jpg

the dragon, and the phoenix are just ideas of us... the real thing will be a vision from torch... and the scroll..

so i guess the thing on the stadium is a scroll like... (torch design thing)

http://images.beijing-2008.org/20070428/Img214043038.jpg

the dragon, and the phoenix are just ideas of us... the real thing will be a vision from torch... and the scroll..

so i guess the thing on the stadium is a scroll like... (torch design thing)

Sydney's torch design had NOTHING to do with its cauldron lighting or style.

Salt Lake's torch was in the form of an icicle, yet the "icicle" idea did NOT figure in ANY way with the Cauldron Lighting... so -- one has nothing to do with the other. The thing that's rolled up is a mesh for fireworks.

Werico already confirmed word from the workers -- and another poster in GamesBids published some proof re the Phoenix idea which is more convincing than this 'scroll' thing. But hey, if that's what you want to believe, then...

I can see the Scroll cauldron theory. It goes into the branding of these Olympics for China.

The Athens torch looked like a cigar, the final cauldron looked like a cigar.

I can see the Scroll cauldron theory. It goes into the branding of these Olympics for China.

The Athens torch looked like a cigar, the final cauldron looked like a cigar.

Uhmmm, yeah -- a marijuana-MSG-smelling scroll/cauldron would be good!!

Exactly the same idea as 4 years ago. Just different look.

But between Olympic friends, who's telling?

Oh mun, give me another hit! :nuts:

It definately looks like a scroll to me

Just my opinion of course

If you look at the core of the base, on the bottom right hand side, it's got a massive hinge

My guess is that the whole thing will stay horizontal until the ceremony starts, it will then rise to vertical and by some means, then be lit from inside the stadium

If it stayed flat, like in the picture, the whole thing couldn't be seen - the perspectives all wrong

I love the idea of the pheonix symbolism, however a bird with it's beak on fire - bit too Disney don't you think?

The design has to be "clean" and instantly recognisable from a distance. The "pheonix" is just too messy. As other posters have mentioned, the scroll keeps the whole thing "on brand"

Now, when can we start talking about the 2012 caludron? I bet the design's already been planned:)

Leona Lewis and David Beckham Beijing Stadium Spectacular

http://i26.tinypic.com/5etvr5.jpg

Leona Lewis and David Beckham are to star in a spectacular closing ceremony at the Beijing Olympics.

They will play a key role in the the official handover to Britain for the London 2012 Games.

X Factor winner Leona, 23, will sing to an estimated global audience of over 150million. And Becks, 34, will fly in from Los Angeles to play a leading part in the performance - designed to get the world excited about the 2012 event.

A London 2012 source said: "Leona and Beckham have accepted the invitation to sprinkle some stardust on the show. They epitomise what London 2012 is about. Leona is a young global star from London who has risen from nothing. Becks has glamour and a profile around the world. He was also a key figure in the bid to win the Games for London."

Leona has had a number one USA hit song.

The pair will be joined by some of the best young athletes and performers from the UK, along with new London Mayor Boris Johnson and Premier Gordon Brown at the glittering three-hour ceremony on August 24.

One organiser said: "The themes are Journey and Transformation and be a very safisicated invite from the UK.

david beckham's goinig to sing?

david beckham's goinig to sing?

just for you, thespecialone!! :ohno:

just for you, thespecialone!! :ohno:

:down:

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/80958541.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193CE41B024AE96D64DD683F564D044A887E30A760B0D811297

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/80958541.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193CE41B024AE96D64DD683F564D044A887E30A760B0D811297

So much for the 'scroll' advocates. A 'burning' scroll on the Birds Nest roof makes about as much sense as a fiddler on a roof! :lol:

http://www.photofans.cn/forum/showthread.php?threadyear=2008&threadid=49456&postid=551685#post551685

Can't wait "the Spectacular Opening Ceremony" on 08.08.08

So much for the 'scroll' advocates. A 'burning' scroll on the Birds Nest roof makes about as much sense as a fiddler on a roof! :lol:

And an opening ceremony, with an Olympic cauldron with a bird on fire was done in Seoul:eek2

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/81734749.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1934B869679A269F9CC1F9BB96168D9BF46E30A760B0D811297
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/81732095.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1934B869679A269F9CC532818D7AF182E66E30A760B0D811297
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/81732090.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1934B869679A269F9CC559FA52E5ABD072EE30A760B0D811297
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/81732086.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1934B869679A269F9CC543D8BF08A5D67E0E30A760B0D811297

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtCtKZJeevw

or something like this...

Interior photo 06-20-08

(from beijingupdates.com)


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-6/200862020324161307.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-6/200862020324120198.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtCtKZJeevw

or something like this...

I like the way how they mimic the Hukou waterfall of Yellow river at the beginning of the show. However I do expect something more spetacular than this on 08/08/08.

Man, this is really one of the most amazing structures in the world!

The bird nest is officially completed
!

http://i27.tinypic.com/2mrs19j.jpg
http://i28.tinypic.com/jrz9na.jpg
http://i27.tinypic.com/ig91ep.jpg

from beijingupdates.com

06-30-08


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-6/200863014301491327.jpg



http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-6/200863014275027819.jpg

Cool ! China will heve the best summer olympic ! :banana:

But the best winter olympic will be in Sochi ! :cheers:

VVIP Room n Restaurant please......

(photo from www.beijingupdates.com, by mark8929)


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008729263921871.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008729263925631.jpg

Beijing TV Tower got new lights for the Olympic games

(Photo from beijingupdates.com)


http://i0.sinaimg.cn/dy/c/p/2008-07-03/U1565P1T1D15862577F21DT20080703072953.jpg

http://i1.sinaimg.cn/dy/c/p/2008-07-03/U1565P1T1D15862578F21DT20080703072957.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087322325895675.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-2/200822415145865483.jpg

Photo from beijngupdates.com

by dl


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087511181721794.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087511184765840.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087511193666829.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008751120777205.jpg

1 more month to go
cant wait for this grand stadium

Is the cauldron supposed to be a secret, unveiled only at the last moment?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtCtKZJeevw

or something like this...


It cant be this, its not practical, buiding such an lcd wall, will cut down the capility of the stadium, since 1/4 of the stands would be behind the lcd screens

Is it always the grey and foggy over Beijing? The Majority of pictures i've seen of it seem to portray it as that. Reminds me of London somewhat.

If you look at the general sports areas thread, there are pics of what looks like they're installing the cauldron. Rumors are it's going to be a giant phoenix or a giant version of the torch from the Olympic relay. Sorry I tried transferring the pics from that thread but for some reason they aren't loading up properly.

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/81734749.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1934B869679A269F9CC1F9BB96168D9BF46E30A760B0D811297
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/81732095.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1934B869679A269F9CC532818D7AF182E66E30A760B0D811297
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/81732090.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1934B869679A269F9CC559FA52E5ABD072EE30A760B0D811297
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/81732086.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1934B869679A269F9CC543D8BF08A5D67E0E30A760B0D811297

What's this?

What's this?

The cauldron in the shape of a giant snail.

Beijing looks amazing!!! Absolutely stunning!!

http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/9884/035b6c95rm0.jpg

^^ OOH! It seems like the Greenery Landscape surrounding the Olympic Park is taking shape or did it already took shape? I wonder if the aritificial lake is already completed?

The stadium looks amazing:banana::banana:

This is not just a Stadium, this is the Work of Art!!!

Beijing 'failing pollution test'

Just a month before the start of the Beijing Olympics, the city is still failing to meet international air quality standards, the BBC has found.

When Beijing bid for the Olympics in 2001, it said its air would meet World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

The BBC put this to the test using a hand-held detector to test for airborne particles known as PM10.

We found that the city's air failed to meet the WHO's air quality guidelines for PM10 on six days out of seven.

These particles are caused by traffic, construction work and factory emissions. They are responsible for much of this city's pollution.

On one of these days, the pollution reading was seven times over the WHO's air quality guideline.

By comparison, recent readings done in London - the site of the 2012 Games - all fall within the WHO's guidelines.

Beijing insists that there is still time to get things right.

Later this month it is imposing a series of emergency air-quality measures which will take cars off the streets and shut down building sites.

One official has told the BBC that he is confident that Beijing will still fulfil its clean air promise.

But this city does not have all that much time left.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7494656.stm

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2654888458_b272ee223b_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2654889614_a52de3221b_o.jpg

I would never go to a place which such an "air" .. I mean how can you survive in this smoke?..

btw nice stadium

I would never go to a place which such an "air" .. I mean how can you survive in this smoke?..

btw nice stadium


Where did you see smoke? :nuts:

This cauldron is it staying on the roof of the stadium for the Olympics? I hope not, its ruining the stadium.

This cauldron is it staying on the roof of the stadium for the Olympics? I hope not, its ruining the stadium.

I know. They're keeping it all locked up; it might run away!! :lol:

thanx to MHIoscar for finding this:

v/dtCtKZJeevw&hl=en&fs=1

Can anyone read Chinese, is this really a preview of the opening ceremony?
It looks like its been held in Shenyang Stadium(which is being used for football matches).

Its the Yellow River Concerto playing, that do huge concerts and sound/light shows in
Tiananmen included, could this just be another concert?

^^

This has nothing to do with Beijing 2008. It's the opening ceremony of 第二届中国中部投资贸易博览会 (Second Central China Investment and Trade Fair). But you can imagine what spectacular we will see in a few weeks. Can't wait! :D

Zhang Yimou's Yinxiang Xihu (Impression Xihu)
kabVp6R1Gfg&feature=related

ok wozzat for?

Bloody hell, the other one was for a trade fair?? I think Im gonna demand that at my next staff training.


I love the male vocals at the start, I hope they incorporate that in the Olympics.

Another Zhang Yimou (the director of the opening and closing ceremony of Beijing 2008) production: Impression Lijiang

7l2tkNbXBgg&feature=related

What's this?

it might be Olympic torch

Beijing looks as if built more than Athens, except those stadium (towers ect..)

How are the other Olympic facilities? We just know famous stadium and Swiming pool?

Can you open a new threrad to post the photos of the all complexes?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2659675717_45dbb850f3_b.jpg
this could be installations of fireworks effects... right?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/2654070069_a37b9d0734_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/2654071517_6512a86a0a_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2654887872_2f02be5163_o.jpg

^^ wow... great pictures

wow the pics are great i'm now so looking forward to what will happen in the opening ceremony

it is so hard as engenering. This stadium is an engenery success. But it is too ugly. ugliest stadium I have ever seen so far. And inside is more horrible. Completely clostrophobic athmosphere. Although they are older, both Sydney and Athens had much more beautiful and aesthetic stadiums.

Not as good as Stadium Australia that holds the world record of 114,714 for the closing ceremony for the 2000 olympics

Not as good as Stadium Australia that holds the world record of 114,714 for the closing ceremony for the 2000 olympics

Νο. It is better than Sydney and Athens stadium, since it is not that old. Only capacity itself doesn't make a stadium great after all. The matter is the aesthetic and at this point Athens had the best O.S., sortly following by the Beijing one.

Νο. It is better than Sydney and Athens stadium, since it is not that old. Only capacity itself doesn't make a stadium great after all. The matter is the aesthetic and at this point Athens had the best O.S., sortly following by the Beijing one.

Uhmmm...'best' is a matter of opinion. You mean 'favorite' because many people would take exception with you, me for one,because I would name Munich's Olympic stadion as the BEST Olympic stadium so far.

Νο. It is better than Sydney and Athens stadium, since it is not that old. Only capacity itself doesn't make a stadium great after all. The matter is the aesthetic and at this point Athens had the best O.S., sortly following by the Beijing one.

You could argue that Athens has the best roof of an Olympic Stadium, though I'd argue the Munich Olympic Stadium has a better roof, but the stands below the stadium are nothing on the Beijing stadium, or Sydney's, or many of the previous stadiums.

from beijingupdates.com


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871218394971792.jpg

God, it's like a spaceship!

Uhmmm...'best' is a matter of opinion. You mean 'favorite' because many people would take exception with you, me for one,because I would name Munich's Olympic stadion as the BEST Olympic stadium so far.

nothing compares to Munich Olimpic Stadium. It is architecturally master peace. If a building doesn't get older with the time, that means it is a classic. Munich Olympic Stadium is such a shape that never gets old, but always fresh.

But, with my whole respect, in my very own opinion, both Athens and sydney are much better than this Beijing Stadium. I respect the high engeenering on this stadium very much. But I also pitty on engeneers that they forced theriselves for this architecutally non- aesthetic construction. It is too ugly, it is too ugly that believe me, when I even look at the photos, I feel terrible headache and as if anybody tortures me and want to turn the page. I can enevr enter into such a horrible consturction. It reminds the suicide.

Light changing moment for Water - cubic Swimming Stadium at night ...

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5500/035fe347zw5.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/5913/035fe6c6ni3.jpg

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/2782/035fe6f3jv7.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8148/035fe67dxz2.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2718/035fe74fiw3.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6097/035fe715kx7.jpg

lol its not that bad

the seating colours are ugly though

I like the night view. damn great.

details of arena floor... it seem like the main floor will be some kind of screen that projects images.. like a huge TV on the floor...
**


**

**

**

**

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871218452476881.jpg
http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871218335144792.jpg
http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871218303330443.jpg
http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871218353817007.jpg
http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871218415712968.jpg
http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871218515955910.jpg
http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087121854197812.jpg

This one and Sydney's are the best olympic stadiums ever! IMO

Would have been better if as a football stadiums.

wow...azaming.....:applause::applause:

:drool::drool:

It's a beast rather than a beauty. I don't care for it aesthetically either but it is surely a fantastic stadium.

I think the exterior is wonderfull! [not seen any new pictures of that] but inside its just too ugly, if the white seats were replaced by yellow ones it would help. The roof is also very thick.

As I thought it might the stadium looks alot better with the lighting on, much less oppressive.

the best Stadium & swim center in the world

Here is the Interactive Report of Beijing's New Modern Architectures by New York Times. This is more informative than any news I know. ;)

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/07/12/arts/20080712_BEIJING_GRAPHIC.html

nice link, thanks

I expected 200 - 250 000 stadium from Chinese :)

Woah, what are those rigging across the "hole" for?

How are we gonna know if any of the seats are temporary? There has to be at least 10,000 temporary seats in this stadium. It looks like all of the seating is permanent.

Aesthetically this stadium is just outstanding, it really is just amazing. I would expect it would function superbly as a stadium to. I suppose the only Stadium that has been built recently that it can compare with in terms of size is wembley (please say others if you can think of any). So incomparison to wembley's stats how does the Beijing Olympic Stadium compare? How many restaurants, bars, toilets, press seats etc does it have? What are transport links like to the stadium? Are all the seats covered by the magnificent roof?

latest photos :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosemania/2660558077/in/set-72157606125414491/

Aesthetically this stadium is just outstanding, it really is just amazing. I would expect it would function superbly as a stadium to. I suppose the only Stadium that has been built recently that it can compare with in terms of size is wembley (please say others if you can think of any). So incomparison to wembley's stats how does the Beijing Olympic Stadium compare? How many restaurants, bars, toilets, press seats etc does it have? What are transport links like to the stadium? Are all the seats covered by the magnificent roof?


All seats are covered by the roof. For transpotation, Beijing built a new subway line (Olympic line 8) right through the Olympic park. See this thread:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=417652

How many toilets? That's a good question. Hope somebody can find the answer:)

Well Wembley has 2618 toilets!!

I posted this under Beijing Olympics Stadium in General Urban Development Section. Well, here it is again. NY Times made a cool description of Beijing Modern Architectures with Interactive features and the description of technologies behind each buildings like the Bird's Nest, Aquatic Center, Terminal 3, CCTV HQ and "The Egg". It's pretty cool and worth looking. ;)

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/07/12/arts/20080712_BEIJING_GRAPHIC.html

Well Wembley has 2618 toilets!!

That's a lot of toilets!:eek2:

nothing compares to Munich Olimpic Stadium. It is architecturally master peace. If a building doesn't get older with the time, that means it is a classic. Munich Olympic Stadium is such a shape that never gets old, but always fresh.

But, with my whole respect, in my very own opinion, both Athens and sydney are much better than this Beijing Stadium. I respect the high engeenering on this stadium very much. But I also pitty on engeneers that they forced theriselves for this architecutally non- aesthetic construction. It is too ugly, it is too ugly that believe me, when I even look at the photos, I feel terrible headache and as if anybody tortures me and want to turn the page. I can enevr enter into such a horrible consturction. It reminds the suicide.

I think it's a case of 'the shock of the new'! It's common for people to reject something that doesn't fit in with what they are used to. There is no other stadium like it, but it is also a very beautiful stadium as well.

You cite the Munich stadium which is also a beautiful and ground breaking stadium, but the initial reaction to it was similar. It was criticised for being too 'open', a lack of enclosure, not enough covering from the elements etc. Only in time have people grown accustomed to it.

Athens and Sydney whilst very good stadiums, are generic, but I can see why people warm to something they are familiar with.

Hmmm, maybe it will grow but I still think it's "beautiful" only in the sense of awe it inspires becasue of its size. I think this is brutal, uncompromising and brilliant; qualities which one could argue sum up a lot about China's national pyche at the moment. But beautiful, no. Not in my opinion.

Maybe we're getting caught up in semantics here. It's a fabulous venue, perhaps unmatched by other athletics stadiums in what it's for; but beautiful isn't a word I'd use to describe it.

It seems like we are having problem here describing what beautiful is all about. We know that this type of Architecture is totaly more advance, totally different and exquisite. This is like Van Gogh's and Picasso's art on thier early years where everyone criticized their paintings for the lack for "true art" and describe it as weird, unattractive and "chaotic". This type of stadium or Architecture (the same with "The Cube" and Frank Gehry's) is a new type of architecture that redefine how the world will look in the future. It's not just any other art but something that you will see inside out. I probably called it as "Digitallic" if no one cares. :lol: To me, this stadium is absolutely stunning or megalonically impressive but not so beautiful.

For the others, please don't base your political point of view because this is in China.

Too many overhead wires, it seems to me.

Update plz..........:)

Too many overhead wires, it seems to me.

It would seem that way but they all have a purpose including those for Ceremonial use. Besides, when it's dark, one really wouldn't be all to see those overhead wires.

D-Day 24

额滴神呀！像来自外太空的不明建筑
Oh,My god! It looks like an unidentified building from the outer space

WOW!!!!! is all I can say, great job guys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqBdlnSxlis&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M82FZZNN45I&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpTAUV9tcRo&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_srwVdXAB1A&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQhm1vlLu9I&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HRxINKGqsM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGnE0Lt3SDI&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c890qBkG1k&feature=related

maybe the criticism is because everyone is used to open stadiums

maybe the criticism is because everyone is used to open stadiums

Exactly! As I said before, people find it difficult to like something that they are not used to.

I mentioned the Munich stadium in particular, but in this case, the initial reaction was the opposite! People criticised it because it was too open. Too much was exposed, it was not enclosed enough! Now we have the opposite criticism a few decades down the road! :bash:

Anyway, I love the Beijing stadium not because it is or isn't too exposed, I love it because it works on several levels, as opposed to a certain (Wembley) stadium I see almost everyday!

With Wembley, you understand the logic of the scheme from any perspective. No matter where your standpoint is. It's basically an inpenetrable shell wrapped around the core with an oversized arch that offers some structural support. Whether you're near or far, this logic still holds good.

With the Beijing stadium, like the best architecture, it is successful on so many levels. From afar, the main structure appears as a chaotic filigree of elegant strands. Paradoxically, because the structure follows the form of a defined geometric shape, i.e. a bowl, it appears as a solid form.

It's only when you move to a closer perspective, that the slender structural strands morph into monumental geometric forms. What is even more impressive is that the impenetrable solid wall that was seen from afar is in fact far more transparent that it appears. It's a perfect balance between solid and void.

From afar the strands appeared to form a single layered wall. Up front, they in fact invade the structure throughout! This clever use of layering and the play of solid and void entices the visitor to explore.

There is, in fact more void, more open space than solid structure!

This is the key difference between the architecture of Wembley and the architecture of the Beijing stadium. With one, the whole concept is understood from any perspective. With the other, understanding is only achieved by a change in perspective, in that way it encourages the individual to explore.

This concept can be seen in traditional Chinese and Japanese gardens. The idea is that the individual must explore via pathways, changes in level and courtyards to understand and grasp the concept of the garden. In a effect, the architecture creates a journey! There's a beginning, a middle and an end.

Hans Scharoun also did something similar with the internal spaces of the Berlin Philharmonic.

I think its more "maybe the criticism is because everyone is used to open Olympic / Atketic stadiums"


BTW, does somebody have plans of this stadiums?

The Beijing Stadium is the most Unique Olympic stadium ever ,something for people to remember for a long time to come ... but the most Beautiful OS has to be the Athen one from the last Olympic

(from beijingupdates.com)

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871522325096801.jpg

OK, found the pics of VIP ENTRANCE AND VIP TOILETS.
http://media.powerapple.com/uploadimages/1216105021_6653.jpg

http://media.powerapple.com/uploadimages/1216105257_6313.jpg

http://media.powerapple.com/uploadimages/1216105330_3034.jpg

http://media.powerapple.com/uploadimages/1216105427_4813.jpg

http://media.powerapple.com/uploadimages/1216105505_8537.jpg

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*


http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/81937925.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1934B869679A269F9CCB67216B0A24FAA8EE30A760B0D811297
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/81937930.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1934B869679A269F9CC0DE487CDEE527C8BE30A760B0D811297
http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087151330771358.jpg
http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871513264184882.jpg
so there will go....

more ay Getty!



i wish the day of the OC will be as clear as this:
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/81925099.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1934B869679A269F9CCB3F91167891E871FE30A760B0D811297

23 days till OC!!
:)

Great photos

The cracking golden walls and metal walls are sooo cool , I am not sure about the blue floor though

http://www.papamao.com/specialphoto/kelsey/071501.jpg

the walls are cool, even the toilets look cool

Heaven on Earth!!!

RED IS COVERING CHINA

the red carpet is rolled out, and Beijing is waiting...

the walls are cool, even the toilets look cool

U would know. Isn't that your primary hangout, special2? :lol:

can't wait to watch the openning ceremony:banana:

btw, love those metal trays on the ceiling and bathroom/toilet walls

looks too much "wanna be" to me

looks too much "wanna be" to me

It's better than the generic, 'run-of-the-mill' interiors we see that are over-used in these type of buildings. Horrid, cheap, characterless and plain.

As for the Beijing interior design, it's a welcome departure from the usual rubbish. I mean, the interior design doesn't give the impression it's for a large public building. No expense spared as far as i'm concerned, that's to be applauded!!! Why can't we poo and wee in style?

The interior is very fitting and reflective of Chinese culture - very opulent, rich, intoxicating and intricate.

Some people might be content with having all their buildings look and feel the same (internally and externally), i'm not one of them!

Looks like something out of the 70s:

http://media.powerapple.com/uploadimages/1216105330_3034.jpg

are those teller plates? Or at least symbolize them?

that swimming center is awesome!

The sky is very clear!

Now if they could keep it that way..

(from beijingupdates.com)

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871522325096801.jpg

I wish this would be tried on other construction sites.

I wish this would be tried on other construction sites.

well, that's why they're on construction sites and you're not. :lol:

07/16/08 firework test for the opening ceremony:


http://flickr.com/photos/toomanytribbles/2673965791/

http://www.20min.ch/diashow/19560/54225040.JPG

My first quastion in bejing would be:

WHERE CAN I BUY CLEAN AIR

http://www.20min.ch/diashow/19560/54225040.JPG

My first quastion in bejing would be:

WHERE CAN I BUY CLEAN AIR

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087169264368500.jpg

15/07/2008 Beijing got some great air to buy :banana:

photoshop :D

(from beijingupdates.com)

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871522325096801.jpg


I think the stadium looks so much better in the 4th pic, without the fabric/plastic material filling in the gaps. It looks so much more organic and open like that. Thats how I imagined it would have looked, but now its too claustrophobic

I think the stadium looks so much better in the 4th pic, without the fabric/plastic material filling in the gaps. It looks so much more organic and open like that. Thats how I imagined it would have looked, but now its too claustrophobic

you overlooked the terrible shadows it reflects

http://img.ifeng.com/hres/200807/17/03/d02ca69db19e871c8bbfeab9f9cacaa5.jpg

http://img.ifeng.com/hres/200807/17/03/24496edae42ae9c699b1ed097d57af8c.jpg

U would know. Isn't that your primary hangout, special2? :lol:

is your life so terrible that you have to follow me around in a forum? now close the door before before your mother catches you whipping off

from beijingupdates.com


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178395643653.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178395613762.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178395695155.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178395697073.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178463268008.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717849522561.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717849571452.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717849529194.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178504225527.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178504296853.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717951843944.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717951881619.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717951839361.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717951813355.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717994752045.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087171012257729.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087171012210749.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178504265812.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871710521937208.jpg

and that is only a rehearsal!

from beijingupdates.com


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178395643653.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178395613762.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178395695155.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178395697073.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178463268008.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717849522561.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717849571452.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717849529194.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178504225527.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087178504296853.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717951843944.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717951881619.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717951839361.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717951813355.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717994752045.jpg

:drunk::carrot::pepper::righton::righton::righton:

Really wonderful pics! Beijing must be better after the Olympic Games!

will it be used for public executions after olimpic games?

CAN'T WAIT ON 08.08.08

will it be used for public executions after olimpic games?

yes, but only for people who troll in a urbanity forum

Fireworks over bird nest sky

http://www.gmw.cn/images/2008-07/17/xin_300705170656989136738.jpg

http://www.gmw.cn/images/2008-07/17/xin_320705170656348387711.jpg

http://www.gmw.cn/images/2008-07/17/xin_310705170656458314209.jpg

http://www.gmw.cn/images/2008-07/17/xin_3107051706568802375810.jpg

Fireworks over bird nest sky

http://www.gmw.cn/images/2008-07/17/xin_300705170656989136738.jpg

http://www.gmw.cn/images/2008-07/17/xin_320705170656348387711.jpg

http://www.gmw.cn/images/2008-07/17/xin_310705170656458314209.jpg

http://www.gmw.cn/images/2008-07/17/xin_3107051706568802375810.jpg

from beijingupdates.com

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008717962094231.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871799531059.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871799549922.jpg


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871799545275.jpg

I just came back from BJ, too bad They don't let me go that close to take photos. The whole compound is being fenced off.

Beijing Jiayou, Zhongguo Jiayou:nocrook::nocrook::nocrook::cucumber:

COLOURFUL OLYMPICS VENUES!!!!

http://en.chinafotopress.com/index/onegroup?gid=2316540

^^ Those photos are from the general opening of the stadium or what?? Fireworks looks amazing :cheers:

^^

It's a rehearsal.

Amazing photos.

The way the red light seeps out from inside the olympic stadium is very impressive. And the icing on the cake is the variable lighting of the swimming pool centre next door.

Should be an excellent opening ceremony.

Those fireworks look stunning!

China holds Olympic rehearsal

always rely on the bbc> video

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7510794.stm

(for some asia internet viewers this may be blocked by your internet provider)

China holds Olympic rehearsal

always rely on the bbc> video

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7510794.stm

(for some asia internet viewers this may be blocked by your internet provider)

A firework is best...:applause::bow:

I bet for London will be super hard to beat the Chinas Summer Olympic :pepper:

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :dance:

:drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:


:okay: :okay: :bow: :bow: :bow:

China holds Olympic rehearsal

always rely on the bbc> video

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7510794.stm

(for some asia internet viewers this may be blocked by your internet provider)
I think it was mentioned recently, that the BBC english language website has been unblocked for Mainland China. Can anyone in China verify this?

I bet for London will be super hard to beat the Chinas Summer Olympic

London 2012 is a very diffrent games to 2008
The IOC have but alot more enviromental rules in host the games now..
London will have more wind turbines even the toilets will be reused
ship containers! and the outer skin of the stadium will be recycled!
the list goes on.....

London put sustainability at the heart of its bid for the 2012 Games, framed by the concept of ‘Towards a One Planet Olympics’. This was derived from the WWF/BioRegional concept of ‘One Planet Living’ , which shows the challenges facing us in stark terms: if everybody in the world lived the same lifestyle as we do in the UK, we would need three planets’ worth of resources to support us.

This idea forms the basis of our plans for sustainable development in the UK and, more broadly, the way in which we can use the Games to highlight global issues such as climate change.

beating the target to reclaim 90 per cent of demolition material for recycling or reuse
reclaiming materials to reuse in designs of venues and parklands
recycling complete buildings to be re-assembled off site
translocating wildlife and creating new habitats including a wildlife corridor to the north of the Park.
Sustainability is the key to London 2012 and marks a major change in direction for the olympics
after 2008.
www.london2012.com

I bet for London will be super hard to beat the Chinas Summer Olympic :

Uhmmm...each new Games always surpasses the previous one.

Get over it. Each new Games always surpasses the previous one.

Why such an angry response? The poster was just pointing out an opinion. Anyway, your response is too general and I don't believe it either...

Why such an angry response? The poster was just pointing out an opinion. Anyway, your response is too general and I don't believe it either...

I edited it. Well, that's your problem if you don't. :)

yes, but only for people who troll in a urbanity forum

:lol::applause:

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871722552124678.jpg


PS: In some Chinese forums, people who watched the rehearsal said that the opening ceremony is :righton::righton::eek2::eek2::rock::rock:

Love the seating! I like the red to white gradient. A good idea!

I bet for London will be super hard to beat the Chinas Summer Olympic

London already has the ingredients in place to host a magnificent Games. The Olympic park venues won't be quite as monumental as Beijing's but apart from that London has everything going for it and we shouldn't feel the need to compete with the Chinese. We're already a world class city: 2008 is China's "coming out party" (so to speak). 2012 will 'merely' reaffirm London as one of the world's greatest cities.

Both games will be magnificent, but so different it will be hard to compare them I think.

(from beijingupdates.com, by mark8929)

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871712432014660.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871712463749102.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871712484888692.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871712484893340.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871712523228038.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871712523275781.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871712523221349.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871712523215860.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871712555535897.jpg

did they just test the fireworks to see what colors and what effects look the best?

Olympic village looks amazing at night.

did they just test the fireworks to see what colors and what effects look the best?




I think so. Someone said that was only part of the firework show to test the effects.

I think so. Someone said that was only part of the firework show to test the effects.

Yeah. They test new patterns,new formations, new colors maybe - the timing, how long it takes for the air to clear for the next set. So they don't blow the whole budget.

i saw more pictures in the general development thread for the park, an amazing display of pyrotechnics, China does have allot to live up to since they are the ones who invented fireworks.

I wonder if there will be any public accessible point near the stadium were tripod shots of the fireworks will be allowed. This perspective would be perfect:

http://www.gmw.cn/images/2008-07/17/xin_3107051706568802375810.jpg

As many "important" people attend the ceremony, I am afraid that the whole area around the venues will only be reserved for ticket holders.

^^

What is that on top of the stadium? Would it be the pyre?
:nuts:

^^

cauldron perhaps? But it looks strange :> Any idea what is that?

It could be a mystic bird (Phoenix) looking down from the top with fire from it's beak, or a dragon biting a ball of fire.:lol:

from beijingupdates.com

by mark8929

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008718932519803.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087189343649389.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087189451968306.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087189352539474.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008718936448045.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087189385082399.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008718947259309.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087189434086273.jpg

Amazing Pics, love them all, can´t wait to the beginning.

Yes, very, very impressive updates from Beijing preparing for the Olympics! These could turn out to be the best Games ever, and are not easily topped by the next Host (London 2012)!

looks like a EXPO park :)

Yes, very, very impressive updates from Beijing preparing for the Olympics! These could turn out to be the best Games ever, and are not easily topped by the next Host (London 2012)!

You shouldn't judge the quality of a games by their physical installations. It's how the athletic performances will carry out and the energy and response of the crowds that will determine whether these will be untoppable Games or not.

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008718932519803.jpg

Awesome birdcage...:cheers1:

Yeah. They test new patterns,new formations, new colors maybe - the timing, how long it takes for the air to clear for the next set. So they don't blow the whole budget.

I know what you mean. Did you see the New Year's Eve fireworks on the London Eye? They certainly blew everything away there. The amount of fireworks was astounding, but they completely wasted it as the intervals between each set was far too close. As a result, it was just a continuous cloud of white.

I know what you mean. Did you see the New Year's Eve fireworks on the London Eye? They certainly blew everything away there. The amount of fireworks was astounding, but they completely wasted it as the intervals between each set was far too close. As a result, it was just a continuous cloud of white.

It also depend on the weather condtion of that evening, e.g. speed of wind, wind direction, temperature, etc.

I know what you mean. Did you see the New Year's Eve fireworks on the London Eye? They certainly blew everything away there. The amount of fireworks was astounding, but they completely wasted it as the intervals between each set was far too close. As a result, it was just a continuous cloud of white.

Exactly.

JmKGAIKSASc

JmKGAIKSASc

http://www.papamao.com/specialphoto/kelsey/071501.jpg

totally nice night view of the surroundings and landscape

that building looks like something from mars :lol:

the national stadium is so amazing, the design is just amazing!

WOWWW.......amazing....this is going to be the best......OC...ever!......this is going to be hard for LONDON2012......cause BEIJING2008.....is very complete!!!!
P!P3

Nice updates, thanks


I personally think London will do very very well too since it is a very nice and beautiful place. I keep my finger crossed that people will be amazed by London in 2012 :)

Looks like this is going to be a milestone in opening ceremonies

Can't wait for the opening Ceremony , i am sure it's going to be the best ever !!!!!!!!!

"What I worry most is raining and I pray for good weather."

------Zhang Yimou, general director of the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies



Hope the weather is good.

this stadium looks AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!:okay:

"What I worry most is raining and I pray for good weather."

------Zhang Yimou, general director of the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies



Hope the weather is good.


me too

from beijingupdates.com

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871799545275.jpg

Is this undercover preparation work for the Olympic torch??

Beautiful and awesome stadium can't wait to 8/8/8

Credit pics from a chinese forum >>> Bird Nest and Guard Solider

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/4453/0363aba0kj1.jpg

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/9172/0363ac1dzy7.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/6696/0363ac57fn7.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/7086/0363ae5cam6.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/9196/0363ae89nc8.jpg

Credit pics from a chinese forum >>> Bird Nest and Guard Solider

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/4453/0363aba0kj1.jpg

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/9172/0363ac1dzy7.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/6696/0363ac57fn7.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/7086/0363ae5cam6.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/9196/0363ae89nc8.jpg

totally nice night view of the surroundings and landscape

I like the contrast of Fire and Water.

whats happend since the last games?

Abandoned, derelict, covered in graffiti and rubbish: What is left of Athens' £9billion Olympic 'glory?'

from mail online:

The security guards were furious.
Rushing out from under the shade of an olive tree - one of the few natural things remaining in an urban wasteland surrounded by steel fences topped with razor wire - the two uniformed guards made it clear that attempts to glimpse Helliniko, one of Greece's Olympic 'glories', were strictly forbidden.

'You are not allowed here!' one guard barked, as a car crammed with more security men, summoned by radio, screeched to a halt in front of me.

'These Olympics are closed. For ever!

'Olympic glories': Gipsies now live in a tent in front of the beach volley venue at the Faliron complex in Athens


'You must not stay here. Go! Now! It's illegal! 'Everything here is illegal!'

'Criminal' might be a better word.
Four years after an outpouring of national delight, when the Olympic Games returned to their spiritual home in the shadow of the Acropolis, the security men were trying to hide evidence of the most scandalous abuse of public money in Olympic history.

After the guards had gone, I ducked through a gap in the venue's fence.

The reason for their agitation became painfully clear.

If waste was an Olympic sport, Greece should be world champions.

Inside, beneath rusting floodlights, lay devastation - formerly glorious Olympic stadiums were now derelict, covered in graffiti.

This is where more than £9 billion was spent to bring the 2004 Games 'home'.

I picked my way through the detritus - empty beer cans, food wrappers and other rubbish.

In 2004, the sound of thousands of cheering fans from around the world filled the huge space.

Now there's an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of tattered EU flags flapping in the wind.

It was not supposed to be like this. The benefits of the Athens Olympics were meant to last for generations.

The Olympic 'legacy' - the favourite buzzword of London's Olympic planners - was meant to be visible to all, transforming the chaotic Greek capital as if Apollo, the god of harmony and civilisation, had smiled on it.

That has not happened. Graffiti covers a stadium at the Faliron site

A staggering 21 out of 22 venues lie abandoned since an event lasting just three weeks was held, and the magnificent stadiums are now over-run with rubbish and weeds.

But the most striking 'legacy' has been the huge sums spent - and wasted - on venues to hold sports with little following in Greece.

And yet the madness does not end there: annual 'maintenance' of the empty sites has cost almost £500million since the event.

Four years on, the Greek authorities unconvincingly insist they are still involved in 'active negotiations' to find buyers.

For planners of the London 2012 Olympics, it is a cautionary tale. The fear is that London may repeat the mistakes of Athens.

When the British capital was awarded the Games in 2005, we were promised they would regenerate the East End, one of the country's most economically-deprived areas.

But as the projected cost of the London Olympics spirals out of control, these vows are looking decidedly hollow.

Many experts now claim the only beneficiary of 2012 will be big business.


Meanwhile, they argue, the area's poorer communities, whose opinions have largely been ignored, will be trampled upon and left with little more than deserted, rubbish-strewn stadiums.

Unless urgent action is taken to return the focus to the people the Games are supposed to help long-term, London could be faced with its own Greek tragedy.


Abandoned: The walkway to the main Heliniko Olympic complex is choked with rubbish four years after it hosted the games

http://i34.tinypic.com/a2f5w9.jpg

Back in Athens, the scene at Helliniko, on the outskirts, is all that remains of a clumsy desire to spur interest in obscure sports such as kayaking, handball and baseball among football-mad Greeks.

None took off - even when officials tried to generate interest by using the baseball stadium for football.

They soon discovered the triangular pitches of the American sport were not suited to a game played on rectangular grass fields.

After trying to encourage locals to use the facilities, the Athens authorities appear to have given up.

A once stunning bridge across the motorway to take thousands from the yachting complex to the baseball stadium, has been closed, the stairs piled high with waste concrete from nearby building sites.

Spiralling walkways, constructed to allow wheelchair users to travel between venues, are barricaded, their lights smashed.

Inside, plastic bags and bottles move through empty boulevards.

In parks designed to allow families to play, benches have been toppled and the paths are barred by guards.

Three miles north, in the Faliron complex - for the tae kwon do competitions (it's a martial art, in case you were wondering) and beach volleyball - gipsy squatter camps have sprung up.

Tents have been erected on grounds that, before the Olympics, were playing fields for children.

And rubbish is everywhere. Fountains are broken and rusting. Pools of water form from broken drains.

At the Olympic Village, six miles from the city centre - where 72,000 invited dignitaries, including Tony and Cherie Blair and former U.S. President George Bush Snr and his wife Barbara, watched the spectacular opening ceremony - the scale of the extravagance is also a sight to behold.

While concerts and football matches have been held here since 2004, the magnificent new stadium is in a sorry state.

Apart from a group of security guards, just a few athletes were training inside the pool.

Nothing else moved, except rubbish in the wind.

A 20,000-seat tennis stadium lies empty. So does the cycling stadium. And the Olympic diving area. And the hockey facilities. The list goes on.

These empty stadiums represent a nation so caught up in the desire to prove it was 'modern' that the true cost of such Olympian vanity was overlooked.

Indeed, many of these now decrepit facilities were completed just days before the opening ceremony.

It seems the thirst of Greek politicians for glory by association - backed by billions of pounds in European funding (your money and mine) - over-rode antiquated notions, such as whether this was value for money and how it would improve the lives of Greeks in the future.

Cash was spent with abandon, and the price is still being paid.

While the country's budget has plunged into the red by more than six per cent - some say the borrowing costs of the event have reached £35 billion - the Olympic legacy dominates political life in Athens.

'We didn't find a plan for the post-Olympics development of the venues,' says Fani Palli-Petralia, a New Democracy politician.

'When a city gets the Games, it should make a business plan for big changes and then decide what the country needs for the day after the Olympics. This did not happen.'

When Britain's 2012 bid was chosen - with London's bid beating Paris - commentators and politicians rightly applauded the fact that Britain would stage these ancient Games for the third time in the country's history.

It was a chance to show Britain at its best, building what politicians pledged would be a legacy lasting many years after the final race.

Amid predictions that London would be transformed, Tony Blair hailed the victory as a 'momentous' day for the capital.

Like Athens, London has been dogged by traffic gridlock for years.

There were claims the International Olympic Committee would demand improvements to the capital's public transport system, ending misery for millions, and encouraging tourists.

Yet, four years before the first starting pistol has been fired for London 2012, there are echoes of Athens.

While Athenians complain they were shunted from their homes to make way for Olympic developments in deprived areas - with soaring property prices and rising rents forcing others out after the events - similar complaints emanate throughout East London.

'The Games have been presented by the Government and the Olympic delivery bodies as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help regenerate one of the UK's most economically disadvantaged areas,' says the New Economics Foundation.

But, the think-tank adds, it seems that big business will be the main beneficiaries, with little money trickling down to poor communities.

London 2012 may be going in the same direction as previous Games in its failure to live up to regeneration promises.

While much of the funding for the Athens Games came from Brussels, the London Olympics will be funded primarily by the British taxpayer, with a smaller proportion from private business.

Indeed, fears have recently been voiced that the £9.3billion budget has already spiralled to four times the original estimate.

'Minority interest' sports such as fencing, table tennis and wheelchair basketball will now be played at the existing ExCel centre in London's Docklands, while sports such as handball will share space at the planned 12,000-seat basketball stadium.

In addition, an 80,000-seat stadium for the Olympics will be dismantled and reduced to a capacity of 25,000.

Lord Coe, the former Olympic athlete and chairman of London 2012, explained: 'We have always said that our intention was to build truly sustainable venues which will provide a strong elite and community legacy for sport for generations to come, long after the final race has been run in 2012.

'These small changes to our temporary venue locations. . . are designed to maximise the sporting legacy we leave behind, as well as to optimise the experience for athletes and spectators.

'We want to build only what can be used to maximum effect after the Games.'

Back in Athens not all has been lost.

As a sweetener for joining the EU, more than £20billion was pumped into creating the city's metro system.

Air conditioned and gloriously efficient, gridlock and pollution have been cut.

In London, by contrast, ' enhancements' to Tube lines - many given the green light, including the East London line extension - is all that is planned to coincide with the 2012 Games.

While there are also much-lauded ideas to introduce high-speed Olympic 'Javelin' trains, making journeys from St Pancras to East London in just six minutes, these will operate only for the three weeks of the Olympics, before chaos reigns again on the roads.

Only time will tell whether our own planners can avoid the lessons of Athens' Greek tragedy of empty stadiums we are all still paying for.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OK, can we go back to Beijing?

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20080715/00e04c44261a09e639f901.jpg

?

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20080715/00e04c44261a09e639f901.jpg

?

Could be for Closing. They're also rehearsing that around this time.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20080715/00e04c44261a09e639f901.jpg

?

No, it's a theatre performance.

from beijingupdates.com

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008718257260940.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087182573135416.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008718258039767.jpg

Great photos

Laoshan Cycling venue (xinhuanet.com)

http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2008-07/17/xinsrc_41207051721501561971930.jpg

http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2008-07/17/xinsrc_58207051721447652187718.jpg

http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2008-07/17/xinsrc_58207051721444213015617.jpg

http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2008-07/17/xinsrc_00207051721457502089824.jpg

http://news.xinhuanet.com/photo/2008-07/17/xinsrc_0120705172145109206625.jpg

7.17 Olympic Park (beijingupdates.com)

Forest park subway station
http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087199313385868.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087199324668670.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087199401729523.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087199442381164.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087199483898140.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087199541017827.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087199552063827.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087199591997858.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008719103516830.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/2008719105329212.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087191010214041.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871910144416340.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871910181019592.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871910195541686.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871910213388763.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871910252239732.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871910303291803.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871912473029077.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871912484738796.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087191243159129.jpg

http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/200871910351851853.jpg

BEST OLYMPICS COMPLEX EVER!!!!!!!!!!!

Wukesong Basketball Stadium

http://en.chinafotopress.com/index/onegroup?gid=2323503

The complex of certain people towards Athens and 2004 games seems to be endless...:ohno: I deny even to quote the post of a miserable individual who found the nerve to use this thread to express his bluntant empathy towards the previous olympics host city. I wonder by the way, wheather he/she/it is a R. Murdoch employee/lackey...?:ohno:

Anyway, back to the topic, I 'm sure the August 8 opening ceremony will be breathtaking. I'm so eager to watch what the chinese will try to put together to outperform the unique artistic event the 2004 games' opening ceremony has been!
Go Beijing!

It's from the Daily Mail. I'd ignore it if I were you Demetrius; very little that paper publishes is worthy of comment.

Some more updates on the stadium:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/2660567413_65c1a13a1b_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosemania/2660567413/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2670171787_d8b73a586c_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosemania/2670171787/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/2670172335_9faa40300c_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosemania/2670172335/)

yep you should see how the Daily Mail lays into its own country. Nothing but doom and gloom about immigrants and how our taxes are wasted on asylum seekers, single mums, prisoners, public architecture, youth-of-today and paedophiles/ paediatricians when instead it should be spent on a villa in Spain, proving Princess Di was murdered, celebrity magazines, satellite TVs and another car.

It is one of the most critical, negative papers about full of sensationalist news about crime, Xmas being banned by Muslims and generally how backward and crap foreigners and their govts are- unless we invade them (either by mass tourism or by force).

Guys, I'll go a little bit off-topic here, but I got to set things straight a little bit...It is not that I myself, as well as many more greeks, either being simple citizens or opinion-makers, do not critise our authorities about post-Olympic development of our venues. We have a fair amount of setbacks, still, 4 years after the 2004 games and yes some venues are not fully exploited to their potential.
This is a fact that only proves how heavy the post-Olympic heritage can be for a city, especially if politics and a new government succeeding another one from a different political party get in the way, carrying a completely new agenda which incorporates a great deal of post olympic "costs' consolidation", in contrast with a perceived pre-olympic "excessive spending", a situation that in Greece is usually combined with a lot of bureaucracy and clash of various local, national, private or public, corporate and political interests (all that in a country where a citizen can literally can take the government to the court because he may disagree with what administrations plan for his neighbourhood and thus block, sometimes unnecessarily, much needed development projects).
However, Athens is still benefited a lot from its post-olympic legacy and gradually the majority of venues are integrated (sometimes controvercially according to some, sometimes slowly according to others) into the urban scheme of Athens. I wouldn't like to stray more off-topic here, perhaps we could create a separate thread for this, I just do not like "bashing without a cause", as I perceived the relative post to be.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the chinese display on the opening day, I believe we 'll have a lot to discuss about! :cheers:

Spectacular photos, stadium looks GREAT!!! Go China!

7.17 Olympic Park (beijingupdates.com)

Forest park subway station


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087199324668670.jpg



I like this design! I mean it.


http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087199442381164.jpg


Those are such BIG APPLES!



http://www.beijingupdates.com/forum/UploadFile/2008-7/20087199552063827.jpg


That's a nice looking McDonald. I wonder if that's inside the Stadium? It might be another controversy(unless if they are Olympic Sponsor) besides the Starbucks inside the Forbidden City.

is that tent thing on top of the birds nest covering the olympic cauldron ?

^^ it should be. but nobody knows exactly until 08-08-08.

Another look of it (7.18, beijingupdates.com)
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/2259/resizeof200871893251980za1.jpg

Some more updates on the stadium:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/2660567413_65c1a13a1b_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosemania/2660567413/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2670171787_d8b73a586c_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosemania/2670171787/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/2670172335_9faa40300c_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosemania/2670172335/)

if only those colours were permanent

yep you should see how the Daily Mail lays into its own country. Nothing but doom and gloom about immigrants and how our taxes are wasted on asylum seekers, single mums, prisoners, public architecture, youth-of-today and paedophiles/ paediatricians when instead it should be spent on a villa in Spain, proving Princess Di was murdered, celebrity magazines, satellite TVs and another car.

It is one of the most critical, negative papers about full of sensationalist news about crime, Xmas being banned by Muslims and generally how backward and crap foreigners and their govts are- unless we invade them (either by mass tourism or by force).

bad news=good sales

Guys, I'll go a little bit off-topic here, but I got to set things straight a little bit...It is not that I myself, as well as many more greeks, either being simple citizens or opinion-makers, do not critise our authorities about post-Olympic development of our venues. We have a fair amount of setbacks, still, 4 years after the 2004 games and yes some venues are not fully exploited to their potential.
This is a fact that only proves how heavy the post-Olympic heritage can be for a city, especially if politics and a new government succeeding another one from a different political party get in the way, carrying a completely new agenda which incorporates a great deal of post olympic "costs' consolidation", in contrast with a perceived pre-olympic "excessive spending", a situation that in Greece is usually combined with a lot of bureaucracy and clash of various local, national, private or public, corporate and political interests (all that in a country where a citizen can literally can take the government to the court because he may disagree with what administrations plan for his neighbourhood and thus block, sometimes unnecessarily, much needed development projects).
However, Athens is still benefited a lot from its post-olympic legacy and gradually the majority of venues are integrated (sometimes controvercially according to some, sometimes slowly according to others) into the urban scheme of Athens. I wouldn't like to stray more off-topic here, perhaps we could create a separate thread for this, I just do not like "bashing without a cause", as I perceived the relative post to be.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the chinese display on the opening day, I believe we 'll have a lot to discuss about! :cheers:Is this what you're looking for?

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=656486

of a miserable individual who found the nerve to use this thread to express his bluntant empathy towards the previous olympics host city. I wonder by the way, wheather he/she/it is a R. Murdoch employee/lackey...?:ohno:

wish to point out that the article I do not agree with but was an interesting
to see another view, and has an impact on 2008 2012 2016...on the debate
of future olympics.

it was an interesting article for 2008 and 2012 however I dont agree
myself with that article, but am happy to read an article with a diffrent view to myself and
should be of interest to all and the next hosts..

we all wish beijing 2008 all the best! and 2004 was excellent too:)
2012 will be very diffrent from the previous games, as will be 2016! as the games evolve..

luckly Greece gave us brits ( and the world )the right of debate! and free speech!

Is this what you're looking for?

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=656486

Thanks for the tip mate! :cheers:

^^ it should be. but nobody knows exactly until 08-08-08.

Another look of it (7.18, beijingupdates.com)
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/2259/resizeof200871893251980za1.jpg

I can see to far CCTV... and CHINA WTC Tower III :banana:

Looks great, this and the aquatic center are just gorgeous. The rest, not so much. But kudos to the Chinese for these two structures.

from boston.com
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/07/beijing_2008_preparations_thre.html

http://cache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/oly_07_21/oly9.jpg
The Olympic Green in Beijing is seen in this satellite image collected by DigitalGlobe on May 25, 2008 and released to Reuters July 18, 2008. The National Stadium (center), also known as the Bird's Nest, the National Aquatics Centre (lower center), also known as the Water Cube, and the Olympic Sports Center Stadium (top right) are seen. (REUTERS/DigitalGlobe/Handout)

http://cache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/oly_07_21/oly11.jpg
Workers transport flowers to plant in the lake in front of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing July 19, 2008. The International Olympic Committee recently praised Beijing for setting a "gold standard for the future" in its preparations for the Games, which begin in less than a month. (REUTERS/Reinhard Krause)

http://cache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/oly_07_21/oly14.jpg
A view of the Olympic Park, commonly known as the Olympic Green, July 6, 2008 in Beijing, China. Beijing's Olympic Green is the core of the Olympic Games and the site of thirteen venues, including the National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center (center). (Guang Niu/Getty Images)


http://cache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/oly_07_21/oly17.jpg
Chinese workers clean the bubble shaped surface of the iconic Water Cube National Aquatic Center in Beijing, China, Friday, July 18, 2008. One of the highlights of the Beijing Olympic Games will be some of the visibly stunning sporting venues. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


http://cache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/oly_07_21/oly19.jpg
Paramilitary policemen take part in an oath-taking ceremony to ensure the safety of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games outside the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, at the Olympic Green in Beijing, July 16, 2008. (REUTERS/Joe Chan)

http://cache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/oly_07_21/oly6.jpg
A worker washes his hands in a moat around the National Aquatics Centre also known as the Water Cube, at the Olympic Green in Beijing on 18 July, 2008. With just 21 days to go the finishing touches to Olympic venues continues for the opening ceremony on 8 August in the National Stadium better known as the Bird's Nest. (PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)

http://cache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/oly_07_21/oly8.jpg
Cleaners abseil down the exterior of the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) building at the Olympic Green in Beijing July 16, 2008. (REUTERS/David Gray)

http://cache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/oly_07_21/oly7.jpg
Chinese performers wait to take part in the rehearsals of the Olympic Games opening ceremony to be held at the Bird Nest National Stadium in Beijing, China, Wednesday, July 16, 2008. Full dress rehearsals are conducted under a cloak of secrecy ahead of one of the most anticipated summer Olympic Games. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

^^ I want that outfit for halloween

IMO. everything so far is about the Beijing stadium ^^^

Very impressive, make me wanna visit Beijing.

^^ it should be. but nobody knows exactly until 08-08-08.

Another look of it (7.18, beijingupdates.com)
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/2259/resizeof200871893251980za1.jpg

and I can see the National Grand Theatre
There are five "beast" before Olympic
we can see four of them
:lol:

Anticipating what that thing is on the roof. waiting for 080808

redstone , nice to meet you here , enjoying your many impressive pics in SIG forum , looking forward to viewing more !

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/7435/610xmg7.jpg

Looking at the stadium, now that it is almost complete, I am extremely impressed! Very original, there's nothing like it on the planet! Love the lighting scheme at night and the interior design is to die for...!

just amazing.
i am seriously awed by the amount of infastructures needed for the OLYMPICS.
utter disbelief. how much in total did CHINA spent?

The urban art and the design of the buildings and sports arenas are amazing.

The urban art and the design of the buildings and sports arenas are amazing.

To be honest, currently, I don't think there's any other country in the world that can afford and also justify such a project as this...

To be honest, currently, I don't think there's any other country in the world that can afford and also justify such a project as this...
Especially the "justify" part. Only in China can one construct this many sporting venues and expect them to be fully utilized afterward. They love national competitions there, everything from track to calligraphy.

^^ I want that outfit for halloween

lol lol hahahaha

:lol::lol:

photos at photofans.cn:


http://www.photofans.cn/forum/showthread.php?forumid=38&threadyear=2008&threadid=59200

Updates ......

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/3329/610xlz4.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3350/610x1fe9.jpg

Some of the international starchitechs who designed these wonders have acknowledged that there is no other place that would haven't granted them carte blanche to go crazy, as was the case with Bejing. I suppose Dubai would be the exception.

The spectacular bird nest and the ice cube got all attention. I notice there are more venues that I little know what they are and how they look like inside.

And that body of water besides the bird nest, is man-made pond, right?

To be honest, currently, I don't think there's any other country in the world that can afford and also justify such a project as this...

I agree wit U. Future host will find Beijing a hard act to follow.

I think it is very clever for the organizer of London 2012 to take a separate path from Beijing games. Instead of trying to impress the world the way Beijing did, London 2012 has chosen to totally discard the needs for aesthethics and go for functionality + sustainability. By doing so, people will stop making comparisons between the two hosts because they are philosophically-different from each other.

Amazing :drool: waiting for 8/8/8

I agree wit U. Future host will find Beijing a hard act to follow.

I think it is very clever for the organizer of London 2012 to take a separate path from Beijing games. Instead of trying to impress the world the way Beijing did, London 2012 has chosen to totally discard the needs for aesthethics and go for functionality + sustainability. By doing so, people will stop making comparisons between the two hosts because they are philosophically-different from each other.

By do so it lost the point why we (as skyscraper lover) want to watch the Olympic :lol::lol::lol:

By do so it lost the point why we (as skyscraper lover) want to watch the Olympic :lol::lol::lol:

You have a valid point here. It's something that a lot of us have overlooked! :nuts: Why do we visit and post on these forums? What compelled us to register in the first place?

I can only think it's to do with Architecture!

Sexas, you are right, London will be extremely hard pressed to compete with Beijing...

fly through, from the BBC>

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/7521319.stm

Fly through from the bbc>

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/7521319.stm

You have a valid point here. It's something that a lot of us have overlooked! :nuts: Why do we visit and post on these forums? What compelled us to register in the first place?

I can only think it's to do with Architecture!

Sexas, you are right, London will be extremely hard pressed to compete with Beijing...

And that's exactly why it isn't trying to. Could you even begin to imagine how much it'd cost to build a stadium like that in this country? :|

And that's exactly why it isn't trying to. Could you even begin to imagine how much it'd cost to build a stadium like that in this country? :|

RobH I think you missing the point, why bid and try to host the game if London isn't "trying to"?? For the longest time I just want to point out over at the London 2012 forum, nobody holding a gun make London bid on 2012 game at the first place!! If London don't want to do the best, Moscow will more than happy to take it over.

I haven't missed any point. I've been following London 2012 since it's inception and understand the project well.

London would be stupid to try to compete with Beijing in terms of the grandeur of the venues; we all know that. Therefore the focus is on the environment; the park, the rivers, the ambience AND venues that are appropriate to that vision. It's like Wimbledon on a massive scale in some ways, or a giant summer festival. It's a different focus to Beijing, and it will, I think provide a nice contrast to what has gone before.

London does want to do "the best" but that doesn't necessarily mean pouring untold extra billions into venues to make them architectural wonders of the world which is what Beijing is doing (and they are wonderful venues, no doubt about that).

I can't imagine any Games in the next couple of decades coming close to Beijing in terms of architecture. Beijing will set a high watermark in that regard that very few cities will come close to matching.

Beijing will be special in it's own special way. It's Olympics reflects what it is - a Big country w/ big population. The Beijing Olympics grandeur just reflects how Grand and Diverse the Chinese culture is.

Updates ......

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/3329/610xlz4.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3350/610x1fe9.jpg

WOW!

The Birdsnest is looking mighty impressive!

The structure is very elegant and filigree, but in contrast the overall form gives the appearance of solidity. Brilliant.^^ :cheers:

P.S. is the inflatable structure where the torch will be?

yes, I'm pretty sure the cauldron will be inside the arch.

WOW!

The Birdsnest is looking mighty impressive!

The structure is very elegant and filigree, but in contrast the overall form gives the appearance of solidity. Brilliant.^^ :cheers:

The stadium is really iconic to the point of becoming a tourist attraction for Beijing in the future. It will also pass as a Museum.