舉世矚目的第29屆奧運會主會場——國家體育場“鳥巢”工程，在經歷兩年多的建設后，于9月17日完成了鋼結構施工的最后一個環節——整體卸載，這標志著鳥巢從圖紙變為了現實，也意味著第29屆奧運會主會場——國家體育場真正從設計圖紙變成矗立在大地上的民族驕傲。

Top officials of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games gave a thumbs-up to the construction of the Olympic venues in Beijing.

"This wonderful architecture (the National Swimming Center) will soon appear in front of people. Therefore, I am satisfied," said Kevan Gosper, vice chairman of the Coordination Commission. Gosper's comment reflected the feelings of several Coordination Commission members who inspected the Olympic construction sites in Beijing.

The National Stadium , dubbed the "Bird's Nest," will be completed by the end of 2007, and will host a series of events prior to the 2008 Olympic Games. The underground structure of the National Stadium is to be completed in June this year.

"Bird's Nest" -- National Stadium under construction . As the Olympic main stadium, the National Stadium will host the opening/closing ceremonies of the Games. This is the sight of "Bird's Nest". The National Olympic Stadium, dubbed the "Bird's Nest" because of its unique design, has risen from its foundations to ground level.

With the homologations of the bobsleigh track in Cesana Pariol and the ski jump in Pragelato ahead of the Turin 2006 Sports Events, as well as the recommencement of construction work at the National Stadium in Beijing, the Organizing Committees of these forthcoming Olympic Games are looking forward to seeing their venues in use well before their respective Games are due to begin.

The Construction of the National Stadium in Beijing, which is often referred to as the "Bird's Nest" due to its unique design, started again on 28 December 2004 after a five-month halt in building activity. The building work was halted in July 2004 in order to readjust the financing and construction plans for the Stadium. This was with a view to improving the safety, quality, functionality and cost of venue construction, as well as optimising the construction timetable. The Stadium now needs 22.3% less steel than before but still retains its "Bird's Nest" design with its intricate steel lattice exterior. Other adjustments, notably to the roof, will also help to better meet the needs of competitions during Games time.


Vocabulary:

thumbs-up：(表示贊成或滿意)翹拇指

The National Stadium：國家體育場

ski jump ：跳高滑雪


(南開大學通訊員 孫偉供稿）