A worker at the construction site of the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park, one of the main venues for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.[newsphoto]

As one of the main venues for the Beijing Olympics, the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park located in the city's northeastern Shunyi District covers 31,850 square metres and boasts a seating capacity of 37,000. During the 2008 Games this venue, which is 36 kilometres away from the Olympic Village, will host 32 gold medal events including marathon swimming rowing, canoeing and kayaking.

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Construction of the park, the first venue in the world that has both a flat-water area and a competition course for slalom, started in July 2005.

"The park is the most advanced rowing and canoeing venue in the world at present," said Zhang Lei, general manager of Beijing Olympic Aquatic Park Co, Ltd.

"The combination of the flat water area and the slalom area will help a lot in the post-Games use of the venue."

According to officials from the venue management committee, the park will become the largest water sports and recreation centre in Beijing's rural area.

"The design and construction of the park is based on the principle of serving the competitions at the Games and assisting the people afterwards," said Zhang Xiangdong, vice-director of Beijing Shunyi Olympic Venues Management Committee.

"After the Games, it will be used for competitions, training, recreation and fitness to become the largest holiday resort in northeastern Beijing. It will leave a valuable legacy to the people of Beijing."

After the completion of the park, the water surface area will reach nearly 600,000 square metres, said Zhang.