Ice Cube prepared in Beijing for 2022 Games

Renovations of China's National Aquatics Center, which was built and used for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, have been completed. The so-called Ice Cube is ready for the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, officials said recently.

The "cube" is the first venue to be completed of the five venues in Beijing that will be repurposed for the 2022 Games, according to the Beijing municipal office of major projects.

The aquatics center, built for swimming events in 2008 and known as the Water Cube, has been transformed into the Ice Cube for curling events following renovation work that included filling the main pool with removable steel structures for use when ice is required.

Yang Qiyong, the venue's general manager, said the facility will be used as a Water Cube for water sports in spring, summer and autumn, and as an Ice Cube in winter for ice-sports after the 2022 Games.