Invitations were sent worldwide requesting participation in Olympic projects. Concurrently, an international competition was held to seek the conceptual design of the National Stadium. After an initial evaluation process, seven individual organizations and an equal number of groups from China, the United States, Germany, Japan and Australia took part in the contest.

• Goundbreaking of the National Stadium - - 05/222008
• Construction of National Stadium formally resumes - - 05/222008
• Photos: Beijing's National Stadium: big, bright, and red all over - - 04/232008
• Photos: Seats installed in main Olympic stadium - - 03/282008
• Workers' Stadium renewed - - 03/282008