As everyone knows, Beijing is to hold the 2008 Olympic Games. But not many people know about the specific venues hosting different sports. Previous Olympics have showed that these venues are often magnificent-they are always a perfect combination of art and utility. Construction has started on most of Beijing's Olympic venues. So for those living in Beijing, it's not a bad idea to take your camera and see what's happening on the sites now.

There are 31 competition venues for the Olympic Games in Beijing, of which, 11 are under construction. Embodying the theme of "New Beijing, Great Olympics" and following the concepts of the Green Olympics, the Hi-Tech Olympics, and the People's Olympics, the construction of these 11 venues is progressing smoothly.

1. Venue: National Stadium

Location: Olympic Green.
Functions during the Games: Athletics, football.
Post-Games use: The stadium is to stage sports events at national and international levels, as well as other entertainment.
Designer: Herzog & de Meuron (Swiss) and the China Architectural Design Institute.
Groundbreaking date: Dec. 2003.

2. Venue: National Aquatics Center

Location: Olympic Green.
Functions during the Games: Swimming, diving, water polo, and synchronized swimming.
Groundbreaking date: Dec. 24, 2003.

3. Venue: National Indoor Stadium

Location: Olympic Green.
Functions during the Games: Artistic gymnastics, trampoline, and handball.
Post-Games use: The venue, one of the best sports facilities in Beijing, will be used for sports competitions, cultural and entertainment purposes; and will serve as a multi-functional exercise center for local residents.
Groundbreaking date: May 28, 2005.

4. Venue: Beijing Shooting Range Hall

Location: Shijingshan District, Beijing.
Functions during the Games: Qualifications and finals of all 11 shootings events, including 10 m, 25 m, and 50 m range events. The entire shooting competition of the 2008 Paralympic Games will also be held in the venue.
Groundbreaking date: July 13, 2004.

5. Venue: Wukesong Indoor Stadium

Location: Wukesong Culture and Sports Center.
Functions during the Games: Basketball.
Post-Games use: The stadium, which includes Wukesong Indoor Stadium, Wukesong Baseball Fields, as well as sports and commercial facilities, will provide a sports stadium for western Beijing.
Groundbreaking date: March 29, 2005.

6. Venue: Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park

Location: Mapo Village, Shunyi District, Beijing.
Functions during the Games: Rowing, canoeing/kayaking (flat-water racing and slalom racing).

7. Venue: Laoshan Velodrome

Location: Laoshan, Shijinshan District, Beijing.
Functions during the Games: Cycling (track).
Groundbreaking date: Oct. 30, 2004.

8. Venue: China Agricultural University Gymnasium

Location: China Agricultural University (East Campus).
Functions during the Games: Wrestling.
Post-Games use: The gym will have a warm-up court and space for various sports competitions and large-scale activities, such as badminton, table tennis, gymnastics, volleyball, basketball, handball and indoor football matches.
Groundbreaking date: June 2005.

9. Venue: Peking University Gymnasium

Location: Peking University.
Functions during the Games: Table Tennis.
Post-Games use: The gym can be used for several different sports including table tennis, handball, basketball, badminton, and volleyball. The gym will also be used for physical education, training and recreation.
Groundbreaking date: Sep. 17, 2005.

10. Venue: Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium

Location: Beijing Science and Technology University.
Functions during the Games: Judo and taekwondo.
Post-Games use: The Gym will serve as a comprehensive indoor center for various sports activities, aquatics and fitness training, and will also be used for indoor athletic competitions.

11. Venue: Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium

Location: Beijing University of Technology.
Functions during the Games: Badminton and rhythmic gymnastics.
Post-Games use: The gym will provide activity space for students and faculty staff, as well as being used for training badminton teams affiliated with the International Badminton Federation and the General Administration of Sports. The gym will also be partially open to the public.
Groundbreaking date: June 30, 2005.

Editor: Donald