- Guangdong Olympic Stadium
The Guangdong Olympic Stadium is a multi-use
stadium inGuangzhou ,People's Republic of China . Currently used mostly for football matches, the stadium was built in2001 . It has a capacity of 80,012 with multi-colored seats, positioned in multiple sections, and are connected via a ribbon pattern.The Guangdong Olympic Stadium was opened to the public for the ninth
National Games of the People's Republic of China in2001 . It was originally planned to help host the2008 Summer Olympics [ [http://www.architectureweek.com/2002/0501/design_1-1.html ArchitectureWeek - Design - China's Banner Stadium - 2002.0501 ] ] until a decision was made to construct the National Stadium in Beijing. The original design for the Guangdong Olympic Stadium was announced in1999 . Taking Guangzhou's nickname, the "Flower City", the American architectural firm ofEllerbe Becket designed Guangdong Olympic Stadium's sunscreen roof to resemble layers of petals on aflower . The design firm stated in its press release: "The stadiumbowl grows out of the ground to a sculpted upper edge, like thepetal s of a flower. Floating above the bowl is a shimmeringribbon ofroof flowing like awave over the seats. It parts at the ends and holds theOlympic flame , suspended between the two ribbons. Ahotel surrounds a circular opening in the roof that forms a verticaltower of light, which at night is visible for a great distance."Major events
*
Guangzhou Pharmaceutical hosted the EnglishPremier League championsManchester United here on27 July 2007 .
*Guangzhou Pharmaceutical hostedChelsea F.C. on23 July 2008 in the latter's first ever trip to China.
* The stadium will host the upcoming2010 Asian Games .References
External links
* [http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/asia/china/guangdong_olympic.shtml Pictures of the Guangdong Olympic Stadium]
* [http://www.architectureweek.com/2002/0501/design_1-1.html Architecture Week article about the stadium]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.