BEIJING -- Built in late 1960’s, it was China’s biggest stadium for 40 years. It seats about 18,000 people.
To prepare for the Games, the stadium underwent a year and a half of renovations. Although the exterior was left relatively untouched, much work was done inside.
The wooden floors were replaced with those hard enough to withstand the pounding of basketball and volleyball players. Imported from overseas, the wood floors meet the strict standards of the National Basketball Association.
When needed, the wooden floor can be moved away through a mechanic system to make room for an ice ground for figure skating and ice hockey.
The capital stadium has witnessed many of the exhilarating victories in China’s sports history.
It was where China’s top figure skating pair, Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo captured the World Grand Prix final gold in 2004 and where China’s badminton team won the Sudiman Cup for the first time at home in 2005.
And it may be the place where Chinese women’s national team defends its Olympic gold next year.
