The National Aquatics Center in Beijing, known as Water Cube in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Ice Cube in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, was well acclaimed as it opened to the public as of April 16.
On the day, the first group of visitors arrived at the venue for touring the Olympic venue and experiencing the sports of curling last Saturday.
The venue, which was converted from the "Water Cube" to the "Ice Cube" to host curling events for Beijing 2022, launched a month-long public visit season with strict COVID-19 countermeasures in place.
Over 2,000 visits were registered on the opening day. Many tried their hand at curling on world-leading ice rinks, toured the dual-Olympic venue's changing rooms, podium areas, and media halls used during the Winter Games, and took pictures with Beijing 2022 mascots Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon.
The venue's Olympic-standard ice rinks, authentic Winter Olympic elements, and curling lessons were applauded by many visitors.
To enhance visitor tours, the venue offered tour guides and volunteering services, designed curling-related activities, and introduced Winter Olympic-themed cultural products. Game-time technologies such as real-time analysis during curling competitions will also be retained.
A media open day event was also held the same day. More than 70 journalists from 20 domestic and global media outlets joined visitors and experienced the Olympic spirit in the venue.
The month-long public visit season aims to bring people closer to authentic Winter Olympic competitions and further contribute to China's post-Games pledge of sustainability.
