Water Cube Where Phelps Ruled Turns Into Ice Cube
Feb 3, 2022, 10:16 AM | Updated: 10:31 am
BEIJING (AP) — Somewhere under the four sheets of curling ice being used for the Beijing Olympics is the swimming pool where Michael Phelps splashed his way to history in the 2008 Summer Games.
The few spectators allowed into the National Aquatics Center might think the pool was filled in to allow the curlers to slide their heavy granite stones down long, narrow sheets of ice to try to knock out their opponent’s rocks, accompanied by shouting and furious sweeping.
Salt Lake City’s @nathanwchen is on the ice here in Beijing practicing for the upcoming Olympics. We’ll meet up with him afterwards for a quick interview. Coverage on @KSL5TV / @kslsports. #ksltv #Olympics pic.twitter.com/SnUOls9GvR
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) February 2, 2022
Not so. In a cool bit of engineering and technology, the Water Cube became the Ice Cube.
The boxy building looks pretty much the same as it did 14 years ago, including its stunning blue exterior of translucent panels that resemble soap bubbles and light up at night in colorful displays. It’s just that for the time being, it’s a curling rink.
The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
Just a year after Japan’s summer Olympics, the Games are back for a winter show in Beijing, China. The unusually short gap between Games is due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Strict precautions and enforced virus prevention protocol are in place to help keep athletes, coaches and personnel safe.
Beijing is the capital of China, with a population of more than 20 million people and the first city to host both a Summer and Winter Olympic games. It is one of the largest cities in the world and 15 hours ahead of Mountain Time. There are 13 different venues in and around Beijing that will be used for the Winter Olympics. A total of 109 events will be held in 15 different sports, and there will be a lot of Utah locals competing for medals. Keep up to date with them at our Olympic headquarters.
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