(Beijing, January 29) While the ''Bird's Nest" is still under construction, its neighbor, the "Water Cube", is soon to be unveiled. The National Aquatics Centre, known affectionately as the "Water Cube", will have her first two "Good Luck Beijing" events: 2008 Swimming China Open and American Standard the 16th FINA Diving World Cup.

At the press conference today, the leadership of the organizing committee said that the venue was ready for the two events: 2008 Swimming China Open from January 31 to February 5, and American Standard the 16th FINA Diving World Cup from February 19 to 25. For the first time, athletes will compete for medals in the swimming and diving pools of the "Water Cube".

The National Aquatics Center is an iconic Olympic venue. It is located along the central axis of Beijing, and works in harmony with the Bird's Nest (on the other side of the axis) in forming a special landscape to represent People's Olympics". The venue is dubbed "Water Cube" due to its distinct architecture. A steel space frame forms the facade and the roof, with its inner and outer walls coated in ETFE cushions. It is the first large scale building in China to have ETFE skin. The cladding, covering 100,000 square meters, is the largest and functionally most sophisticated ETFE project in the world. The world class venue is a testimony to "High-tech Olympics".

People from all over the world who are interested in the Beijing Olympic Games have been watching this venue. At Games times the venue will feature swimming, diving and synchronized swimming. 42 gold medals will be awarded here, only next to the National Stadium the Bird's Nest, where 47 gold medals will be awarded.

Li Aiqing, president of the organizing committee, said that the two events were gifts from venue builders, the venue team and participating athletes to the Chinese people for the coming Chinese New Year. The organizing committee and the venue team would build on their experience of hosting these two events in future preparations for the Olympic Games.

Shang Heshun, Executive President and venue manager, said that despite difficulties like short timelines and cold weather, the organizer set and lived up to high standards. They cared about every detail in planning and had been working hard towards their goal.