Guangdong Olympic Stadium

The Guangdong Olympic Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. Currently used mostly for football matches, the stadium was built in 2001. It has a capacity of 80,012 with multi-colored seats, positioned in multiple sections, and are connected via a ribbon pattern.

The Guangdong Olympic Stadium was opened to the public for the ninth National Games of the People's Republic of China in 2001. It was originally planned to help host the 2008 Summer Olympics [ [http://www.architectureweek.com/2002/0501/design_1-1.html ArchitectureWeek - Design - China's Banner Stadium - 2002.0501 ] ] until a decision was made to construct the National Stadium in Beijing. The original design for the Guangdong Olympic Stadium was announced in 1999. Taking Guangzhou's nickname, the "Flower City", the American architectural firm of Ellerbe Becket designed Guangdong Olympic Stadium's sunscreen roof to resemble layers of petals on a flower. The design firm stated in its press release: "The stadium bowl grows out of the ground to a sculpted upper edge, like the petals of a flower. Floating above the bowl is a shimmering ribbon of roof flowing like a wave over the seats. It parts at the ends and holds the Olympic flame, suspended between the two ribbons. A hotel surrounds a circular opening in the roof that forms a vertical tower of light, which at night is visible for a great distance."

Major events

* Guangzhou Pharmaceutical hosted the English Premier League champions Manchester United here on 27 July 2007.
* Guangzhou Pharmaceutical hosted Chelsea F.C. on 23 July 2008 in the latter's first ever trip to China.
* The stadium will host the upcoming 2010 Asian Games.

References

External links

* [http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/asia/china/guangdong_olympic.shtml Pictures of the Guangdong Olympic Stadium]
* [http://www.architectureweek.com/2002/0501/design_1-1.html Architecture Week article about the stadium]