Work on the 91,000-seater Olympic National Stadium began at the end of 2003 after architects Herzog & DeMeuron, ArupSport and China Architecture Design & Research Group won a design competition organised by China's government.

The �220m venue, nicknamed the "Bird's Nest", is set for completion in spring 2008 and will host the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the football and athletics events.

There will also be a shopping centre running through the heart of the arena, which will be used for sporting and entertainment events following next year's Games.