NY20??

I'm watching the US Olympic trials for White Water Canoeing on MSNBC right now. I don't know much about the sport, but I'm still watching it because the world "Olympic" is throw in there. lmao

Well, if Beijing's does get leaked here on GB, it would be nice to start a separate thread about it or post a spoiler alert beforehand, as to warn those who do want to be surprised on the night of August 8th.

Sydney actually interpreted the colors from east to west, with Oceania being blue, and the Americas red.

For the most part, I like them. Especially the OC's tickets. The others would be better if they didn't that beige and white half. And all those pictograms on one ticket don’t look very good.

It could just be a stage of some sort for Rogge and the BOCOG President to make their speeches and for the atheletes and officials to take their respective oaths, just like Athens' olive tree. So perhaps, a small pagoda?

New pic: I’m pretty sure this picture was taken before the weekend's test event, as the track does not appear to be finish and those light pieces that hang from the rim of the roof are being put together. And some great photography of Beijing's 'Olympic Green' here: toomanytribbles' Photostream at Flickr.com

The Chinese Athletics team will hold their Olympic Trials in the stadium So, I would assume that they would have to place in the grass (or some other suitable material that meets IAAF requirements) for the Javelin, Hammer, Discus, and the Shot Put.

Is there any word on when NBC will release its complete schedule?

It's probably not rehearsal for the Ceremonies, but rather an oppertunity to show off the stadium with performers, I think:

Well, as it's been said in another thread - this IOC doesn’t seem to have enough 'cajones' to stand up to these Beijing bullies. Perhaps giving the Games to Rio will help them grow some.

For the godonlyknowswhat time, the tower is a broadcasting building called the 'LingLong Pagoda.' Read the thread, please.

Today's batch of new pictures: Lighting for Ceremonies?:

If you mean this area of the stadium - as said previously, that's always customized for the media with desks for broadcasts, cameras, etc. But anyways, thanks for insight, jiejie. Very informative.

That raised platform is just for cameras to get good shots and angles of whatever is happening on that straightaway - Parade of Nations, Athletics' finishes, etc:

BBC Video: Inside Beijing's 'Bird's Nest'

All the architecture fanboys at Skyscrapercity.com love this thing. The difference in the general opinion between here and there is jus plain amusing at times. Anyways, two new pics:

...And two more recent pics showing the track:

LOTS of new pictures today. Most noteably of the stadium's interior halls: ^By this picture, it’s now clear that the stadium's bottom tier and field are sunken below ground level, just like London’s, Athens’, and Sydney’s stadium.

Yeah, that's exactly what I would like to see in the 'Bird's Nest' as well. I suppose if it is completely finished for this weekend’s event then we’ll know then. Though granted, it’s only a walking competition, so they won’t necessarily need to have all the areas of the field finished.

More new pictures: Does anyone know if it's an IAAF requirment to have some of the tracked surface painted green or some other color, like this?

If the lighting really doesn't look up to par right now (personally, it's probably the camera), then I'm sure it'll be just fine in time for any upcoming events that it'll host at night. And you can guarantee that it'll be perfect for the night of August 8th and the following two weeks as well.