Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium (effect photo)
(BEIJING, August 16) -- The Tianjin Administration of Sport announced the official completion of the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium on Thursday. On August 19, the venue will host its first event, China vs. Australia in a women's football match.
As a venue for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the project was approved by the Beijing Chinese National Development and Reform Commission. Construction of the venue began at the end of 2003 and cost nearly 1.5 billion yuan to build. Because the outside of the venue is designed to resemble a drop of water, it is nicknamed the "water drop."
Tianjin is a co-host city for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Part of the football preliminary matches, as well as the upcoming 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup will take place at the "water drop.'
The "water drop" covers an area of 78,000 sq m and has a building surface area of 158,000 sq m. It can accommodate 60,000 spectators and meets the standards for holding international football games track and field meets.
The Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium fully reflects the three Olympic Concepts -- "Green Olympics," "High tech Olympics," and "People's Olympics."
It features a recycled water system, lake water heating and cooling system, solar energy collection system, natural water purifying system, optical fiber communications, etc. It also features a marketplace, exhibition hall, conference room, gym, international sports exchange center, etc.
