Paramilitary police officers walk near China's National Stadium, the main venue for athletics competition at the Olympic Games, yesterday. Known as the Bird's Nest for its elaborate network of steel girders, the stadium will host its first test event, the Good Luck Beijing Race Walking Challenge, on April 18-19. - AP

BEIJING (AP):

FRANCO DESTEFANIS says he's installed running tracks in 150 stadiums around the world, and Beijing's National Stadium - known as the Bird's Nest - is his fifth straight Olympic track and field venue.

The 91,000-seat stadium may be the architectural jewel of the Beijing Olympics but for the 56-year-old Italian, it's just another venue.

"The design, the new-style architecture and the size is impressive," Destefanis said yesterday, kneeling as he fitted - like a carpet installer - the final few slabs of the rubberised running surface on the floor of the venue.

Running surface

"The inside part, I don't know what to say," Destefanis said. "I just put down the running surface and nothing more. The outside catches your eye, particularly with the lights at night."

Destefanis's matter-of-fact comments are fitting.

The marquee venue of the Beijing Olympics held a modest opening as it prepares to host its first official event tomorrow and Saturday - a low-key race-walking meet. No glitzy ceremonies, political speeches or fireworks are scheduled.

Keep in mind, the stadium is the icon of the Beijing Games. Its unusual design is created by twisted steel beams that wrap around the exterior to resemble silver twigs binding a nest together. It's been called the best work produced by Switzerland-based architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron.

Last to be completed

Of the 37 venues for the Games, this is the last to be completed. There have been minor delays, although Beijing organisers have denied construction problems. They've said preparing for the August 8 opening ceremony has required adjustments to building schedules, pushing back completion by a few months. The stadium is also the venue for track and field and the closing ceremony.

The final touches on the US$450 million (euro285 million) stadium won't be complete until next month, although organisers let journalists in yesterday to look around.