Beijing’s ‘Bird’s Nest’ Olympics stadium
A Chinese paramilitary policeman attempts to block photos from being taken of a military parade rehearsal outside Beijing’s “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium, the site of the upcoming Olympics. China has vowed to step up security for the Games and said that with up to 80 world leaders expected to attend the Aug. 8 opening ceremony, it faces a huge responsibility to defend its own people, Olympic athletes and visiting dignitaries. (Mark Ralston AFP/Getty Images)
China’s 91,000-seat Olympic stadium, designed by the Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron, was dubbed the “Bird’s Nest” for its elaborate webbing of steel beams. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Artwork grabs the eye in the middle of the stadium: a giant round structure, center stage. The stadium will be the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies and various track and field events. (Ng Han Guan / Associated Press)
Concerned about the possibility of rain showers during the opening ceremonies at the open-air stadium, Chinese officials say they have meteorologists in place who have trained for such a possibility by practicing “rain-mitigation” techniques at special events throughout the year with several successes. (Ng Han Guan / Associated Press)
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Fireworks are set off during opening ceremony rehearsals at the stadium. (Ng Han Guan / Associated Press)
A woman looks through a fence at the Bird’s Nest. Several areas around the stadium have become popular sites for spectators and those seeking photo ops in the run-up to the Games. (Oded Balilty / Associated Press)
A family has a picture taken during the stadium’s construction in March. (Oded Balilty / Associated Press)
Workers put a shine on the stadium’s massive ring of interwoven steel girders. (Alexander F. Yuan / Associated Press)
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The nighttime glow makes the showpiece venue even more photogenic. (Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press)
A Chinese athlete competes in the women’s heptathlon long jump during the China Athletics Open in May. The event was the first track and field competition held at the stadium, a precursor to the Summer Olympics. (Teh Eng Koon AFP/Getty Images)
