Venues of the 2008 Summer Olympics

Olympic rings.svg 2008 Summer Olympics
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The 2008 Summer Olympic Games were held in Beijing, China from 8 August to 24 August 2008.[n 1] A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 NOCs participated in 302 events in 28 sports held in 37 competition venues.[1] Events took place at eleven pre-existing venues, twelve new venues constructed for the Olympics, and eight temporary venues that were removed following the games. In addition, six venues outside Beijing hosted events, two of which were newly built for the Olympics.

Beijing won its bid to host the 2008 Olympics on 13 July 2001.[2] The first new venues to begin construction were the Beijing National Stadium, Beijing National Aquatics Center, Beijing Shooting Range Hall, and the Laoshan Velodrome, where major work commenced in December 2003.[3] By May 2007, construction had begun at all of the Beijing venues for the games.[4] Approximately RMB¥13 billion (US$1.9 billion) was spent to build and renovate the venues.[5]

Several of the venues were located at the Olympic Green Olympic Park. The largest venue at the games in terms of seating capacity was the Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, which can hold 91,000 spectators and was the site for the opening and closing ceremonies. The smallest venue in terms of seating capacity was the temporary Laoshan Mountain Bike Course, which had seating for 2,000 spectators.

Contents

New competition venues

The Beijing National Aquatics Center at night
Beijing National Indoor Stadium
Venue Sports Capacity Ref.
Beijing National Aquatic Center Swimming, Diving and Synchronized Swimming 17,000 [6]
Beijing National Indoor Stadium Artistic Gymnastics, Trampoline, Handball 19,000 [7]
Beijing National Stadium Athletics and Football 91,000 [8]
Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium Judo and Taekwondo 8,024 [9]
Beijing Shooting Range Hall Qualifications and finals 10-, 25-, and 50-meter range shooting events 9,000 [10]
Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium Badminton and Rhythmic Gymnastics 7,500 [11]
China Agricultural University Gymnasium Wrestling 8,000 [12]
Laoshan Velodrome Cycling (track) 6,000 [13]
Olympic Green Tennis Center Tennis 17,400 [14]
Peking University Gymnasium Table tennis 8,000 [15]
Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park Rowing, Canoe/Kayak (flat-water racing and Slalom Racing) and Marathon swimming 37,000 [16]
Wukesong Indoor Stadium Basketball 18,000 [17]

Existing competition venues

The Workers Stadium, site of the quarter-final and semi-final games of the football competition
Gymnasium of the Beijing Institute of Technology, home to the volleyball competition
Venue Sports Capacity Ref.
Beihang University Gymnasium Weightlifting 5,400 [18]
Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium Volleyball 5,000 [19]
Beijing Shooting Range Clay Target Field Shooting 5,000 [20]
Capital Indoor Stadium Volleyball 18,000 [21]
Fengtai Softball Field Softball 13,000 [22]
Laoshan Mountain Bike Course Cycling (Mountain Bike) 2,000 [23]
Olympic Sports Centre Football, Modern Pentathlon (running and equestrian) 36,228 [24]
Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium Handball 7,000 [25]
Workers Indoor Arena Boxing 13,000 [26]
Workers Stadium Football 70,161 [27]
Ying Tung Natatorium Water Polo, Modern Pentathlon (swimming) 4,852 [28]

Temporary competition venues

The reconstructed Yongdingmen gate, starting point of the road cycling course
Venue Sports Capacity Ref.
Beach Volleyball Ground Beach volleyball 12,000 [29]
BMX Field Cycling (BMX) 4,000 [30]
Olympic Green Archery Field Archery 5,000 [31]
Olympic Green Convention Center Fencing preliminaries and finals, and Modern Pentathlon (fencing and shooting) 5,695 [32]
Olympic Green Hockey Field Hockey 17,000 [33]
Triathlon Venue Triathlon 10,000 [34]
Urban Road Cycling Course Cycling (road race) n/a[n 2] [35]
Wukesong Baseball Field Baseball 18,000 [36]

Competition venues outside Beijing

The Shanghai Stadium, one of a number of venues for football preliminaries
Venue Location Sports Capacity Ref.
Hong Kong Equestrian Venues Hong Kong Equestrian 18,000 [37]
Qingdao International Sailing Center Qingdao Sailing n/a[n 2] [38]
Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium Qinhuangdao Football Preliminary 33,572 [39]
Shanghai Stadium Shanghai Football Preliminary 80,000 [40]
Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium Shenyang Football Preliminary 60,000 [41]
Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium Tianjin Football Preliminary 60,000 [42]

Notes

^ 1. Although the official opening of the games was on 8 August 2008, football games were held beginning on 6 August.[43]
^ ^ 2. Both the Urban Road Cycling Course and the Qingdao International Sailing Center did not have spectator seating, and therefore in this table no capacities are listed. Spectators for events held at these venus could observe events held in them from regular pedestrian areas such as sidewalks.

References

  1. ↑ International Olympic Committee (2008-08-01). "NOC entry forms received". Press release. http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/official/preparation/n214496035.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-08. "(...) confirmed the qualification of 11,028 athletes, including 363 supplement athletes holding a P card." 
  2. ↑ "BEIJING 2008: Election". International Olympic Committee. http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/beijing/election_uk.asp. Retrieved 2008-08-12. 
  3. ↑ "Beijing 2008: Beginning of Venue Construction Project". International Olympic Committee. 2003-12-15. http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=262. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  4. ↑ "All Beijing-based venues under construction". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. 2007-05-11. http://en.beijing2008.cn/01/32/article214073201.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  5. ↑ "Beijing Olympics funding exceeds $43 bn". NDTV.com. 2008-08-04. http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/showsports.aspx?id=SPOEN20080060086&ch=8/4/2008%209:09:00%20PM. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  6. ↑ "National Aquatics Center". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/nac/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  7. ↑ "National Indoor Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/nis/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  8. ↑ "National Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/nst/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  9. ↑ "Beijing Science and Technology University". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/stg/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  10. ↑ "Beijing Shooting Range Hall". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/bsh/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  11. ↑ "Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/btg/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  12. ↑ "China Agricultural University Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/cag/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  13. ↑ "Laoshan Velodrome". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/lsv/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  14. ↑ "Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Court". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/ogt/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  15. ↑ "Peking University Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/pkg/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  16. ↑ "Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/src/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  17. ↑ "Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/wis/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  18. ↑ "Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/aag/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  19. ↑ "Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/tig/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  20. ↑ "Beijing Shooting Range CTF". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/bsf/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  21. ↑ "Capital Indoor Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/cas/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  22. ↑ "Fengtai Sports Center Softball Field". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/fts/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  23. ↑ "Laoshan Mountain Bike Course". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/lsc/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  24. ↑ "Olympic Sports Center Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/oss/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  25. ↑ "Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/osg/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  26. ↑ "Beijing Workers' Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/wia/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  27. ↑ "Beijing Workers' Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/wst/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  28. ↑ "Yingdong Natatorium of National Olympic Sports Center". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/ytn/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  29. ↑ "Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/cbv/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  30. ↑ "Laoshan Bicycle Motocross (BMX) Venue". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/lsx/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  31. ↑ "Beijing Olympic Green Archery Field". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/oga/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  32. ↑ "Fencing Hall of National Convention Center". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/fch/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  33. ↑ "Beijing Olympic Green Hockey Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/ogh/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  34. ↑ "Triathlon Venue". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/trv/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  35. ↑ "Road Cycling Course". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/crc/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  36. ↑ "Beijing Wukesong Sports Center Baseball Field". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/wkb/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  37. ↑ "Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/equ/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  38. ↑ "Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/qdm/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  39. ↑ "Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/qhd/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  40. ↑ "Shanghai Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/shs/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  41. ↑ "Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/shy/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  42. ↑ "Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. http://en.beijing2008.cn/venues/tjs/index.shtml. Retrieved 2008-08-10. 
  43. ↑ Marcus, Jeffrey (2008-08-07). "U.S. Opens With Win Over Japan". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/08/sports/olympics/08soccer.html?ref=soccer#. Retrieved 2009-01-18. 

External links

Venues of the 2008 Summer Olympics
New venues
Beijing National Stadium · Beijing National Aquatics Center · Beijing National Indoor Stadium · Beijing Shooting Range Hall · Wukesong Indoor Stadium · Laoshan Velodrome · Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park · China Agricultural University Gymnasium · Peking University Gymnasium · Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium · Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium · Olympic Green Tennis Center
Existing venues
Olympic Sports Centre · Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium · Workers Stadium · Workers Indoor Arena · Capital Indoor Stadium · Fengtai Softball Field · Ying Tung Natatorium · Laoshan Mountain Bike Course · Beijing Shooting Range Clay Target Field · Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium · Beihang University Gymnasium
Temporary venues
Olympic Green Convention Center · Olympic Green Hockey Field · Olympic Green Archery Field · Wukesong Baseball Field · Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground · BMX Field · Triathlon Venue · Urban Road Cycling Course
Venues outside Beijing
Qingdao International Sailing Centre · Shanghai Stadium · Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium · Hong Kong Equestrian Venues · Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium · Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium
Olympic venues
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