Building Beijing

The Beijing Olympics are scheduled to open in six months, with China hoping to pull off a flawless show to demonstrate the country's political and economic power. Here's a look at some of the preparation.

The cycling velodrome is one of 12 new sports venues being built for the Games. Nine existing venues are being renovated.

The iconic symbol of the Olympics will be the $485 million Bird's Nest national stadium. The 91,000-seat building is a soaring steel wicker basket that symbolizes China's 21st century ambitions.

Opening and closing ceremonies, soccer and track and field competition will be held in the Bird's Nest.

Officials are planning to host the first test events at the Bird's Nest this spring.

The National Indoor Stadium will be home to gymnastics and handball competition.

All told, China is expected to undergo a $40 billion facelift, which includes new roads, subway lines and a myriad of skyscrapers.

The $200 million National Aquatics Center, known as the Water Cube, will host swimming, diving and water polo.

The entire building is made of a membrane-like cell structure and has a seating capacity of 17,000.

The Cube opened to rave reviews in January, with high-ranking IOC member Kevan Gosper saying ''You'd think it was sent in from another planet.''

A fireworks display over Tiananmen Square was part of the ceremony to mark the one-year countdown to the Games, which will run from Aug. 8-24.

This giant sculpture was made from 20,000 pieces of Chinese dishes and cups.

The Green Tennis Center in Beijing held a test tournament in October.

The baseball complex is already fully operational.

Beijing's stunning architecture will be on display as the marathon and road cycling events thread their way through China's ancient capital city.

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