Building Beijing's slide and joy

"I think it's an interesting track," said Schwab, who won a bronze medal for Germany in luge at the 1988 Olympics in Calgary, Canada.

"We collaborated with the designer to make the curves not so easy to slide but not dangerous.

"There must be a high degree of trickiness but it cannot be dangerous. Right now, we are looking good."

To make the track more energy efficient, some sun-exposed sections will be covered to reduce the demand for cooling supplies.

"The problem is there is a little sunny side, but we have a very good roof," said Schwab.

As well as all the sliding events, Yanqing, which is 74 km northwest of Beijing, will also host alpine skiing at the National Alpine Ski Center and will have its own Olympic village and media center.