The emergence of China as an economic superpower

The $150-200 million "Water Cube," perhaps more of an iconic structure of a futuristic Olympics than a swimming venue, was unveiled early this week in Beijing. The National Aquatics Center, where 42 Olympic swimming events will take place in August, was designed to look like a cube entrapped by bubbles. It is the brainchild of Australian company PTW Architects with "cutting edge aesthetics." The structure is due north of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

As the unveiling ceremony, both Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee President Liu Qi and Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong appear thrilled by magnificence of the structure. The outside and inside walls are constructed with ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, with a similar texture to Teflon. Composed of two seperate layers, the seperation gives the building the feel of a greenhouse. The venue has 6,000 permanent and 11,000 temporary seats.

Along with the "Bird's Nest," where track and field events (as well as opening and closing ceremonies) will be held, the structures are seen are marvels of modern day Olympic arts. While the "Nest" will probably result in little usage after the Olympics, rumor has it that the "Cube" will be converted into a shopping area and leisure center, including tennis courts, a water park, retail outlets, nightclubs and restaurants. Maintenance cost will undoubtedly be high: already Beijing's black smog is engulfing the outside of the structure, whereby clean up will take a week.

The "Cube" will be water tested next week, but top swimmers have expressed that they will not participate. Maybe they need more training at home before the Olympics come around? Michael Phelps is praying for his record seven gold medals this time around, and this "Cube" will hopefully be his lucky charm.