those amazing 2008 Beijing Olympics venues

The 2008 Beijing Olympics are but a few days away. Set to officially open auspiciously on August 08, 2008 (that's 08/08/08), it is touted to be the most lavish and the most well-prepared Games in recent times with China out to impress the world with its efficiency in handling a world-class event. With an economy poised to be the world's largest and an efficient workforce to boot, the Games of 2008 is something to look forward to. I expect to be awed from day one, especially with the opening ceremonies. I've been desperately trying to Google hints about
this to no avail. How will the Games open? How will the 2008 Beijing Olympic flame be lit? These are just two of the questions on every Olympic watcher's mind. Unfortunately, the preparations for the opening ceremonies are cloaked in secrecy. For now, all we can do is wait.

Apart from the Games itself - the different sports and the athletes in competition - what has become exciting to me are the venues that the organizers put up to impress the whole world. The frustrated architect in me can't help but be amazed at the modern structures in Beijing specially constructed for the 2008 Olympic Games, two of which I find totally awesome.

Foremost on this list is definitely the Beijing National Stadium, nicknamed 'The Bird's Nest' for its unique design. Designed by the famous Swiss architect Herzog & DeMeuron and the China Architecture Design Institute, it has a capacity of 100,000 and will host the opening and closing ceremonies as well as athletics and football during the Games.

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Another architectural marvel is the National Aquatics Center, nicknamed 'The Water Cube'. It is inspired by the natural formation of soap bubbles and is made up of thousands of plastic pillows that are continuously pumped to maintain their plump appearance. For added drama, these pillows are illuminated at night.

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These are other newly-constructed venues for the Games in Beijing, all adding a new dimension to the skyline of this once ancient city, but not one of them can compare with these two. How I wish I could watch the Olympic Games in China and witness the drama first hand, both in the sports events and in the magic that these modern edifices bring.

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