Fancy dirt and sand shipped in to ensure a watertight Olympics

Torrential summer rainstorms aren't affecting the sleep of Beijing Olympic organizers even after they promised this month's Olympic test events wouldn't be marred by sodden grounds.

Solidified soil, sands from mines all the way from South China's Hainan Province and plastic covers have all been recruited to stop competition fields from slushing into quagmires after downpours.

"We have thought about it (rain) and put that into consideration while building the grounds," deputy manager of Olympic BMX Zhang Kai said at yesterday's venue opening.

Since excavators first broke ground in Beijing's western suburbs late last year for the BMX course, Zhang and his colleagues have searched far and wide for soil that could easily be fashioned into an impressive rainproof BMX track.

Touch was found to be the most efficient sense and tool by far in this endeavor - in fact, organizers tried every kind of soil with their bare hands before giving a dirt sample from nearby Changping the nod.

Water quickly drains away from the earth found beneath this northern district, they discovered.

However, that was not reassuring enough.

The team added solidifying compounds in a bid to make the grounds even firmer during rains.

Their concerted efforts will likely be put to the test during a two-day International Cyclist Union (UCI) World Cup meet from August 20-21, when weather forecasts predict that Beijing will continue to be soaked by storms.

The tournament, sponsored by Snickers, the Beijing Olympic Games' official chocolate supplier, will feature the world's elite BMX riders at the newly-built venue a year before they vie for gold.

"We are ready," Zhang said, emphatically, while pointing to plastic covers on the ground.

"Plus we have prepared other means to prevent the ground from the rain."

"We need feedback from the athletes to decide what we can improve on the ground."

Concerns about rain have also been factored into the construction of another venue - beach volleyball courts unveiled late yesterday in east Beijing's Chaoyang Park are another venue to have received the scientific treatment.

The ground features 1.7 tons of sand from South China's Hainan island.

But the sand comes not from the beaches of the popular holiday destination but mines throughout province.

Chosen from four samples, the sand has been approved by Federation of International Volleyball and International Olympic Committee.

Like Changping's soil, it is believed to drain water away much faster than regular grains.

"I can assure you that the rain will not influence the game," manager of Olympic beach volleyball Shen Naihong asserted as the venue was unveiled in driving rain yesterday.

Shen's words may also be tested next week during an international beach volleyball challenge.

Twenty-four teams from 13 countries and regions will take part in the seven-day event.

(China Daily 08/07/2007 page22)