It has been nearly one year since the start of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. The surge of Olympic athletes, judges, staff, and spectators has seemingly receded to the usual hustle and bustle of China’s capital city. The Olympic venues, however, are still there, although their functions have changed to meet the needs of this new environment.

The Water Cube, once the place where swimming giants like Michael Phelps performed amazing feats during the Olympics, is now open to the public. For 50 RMB, one can swim there for two hours. The one pool is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 2pm to 9pm.

Like water, the trickle of swimmers entering is slow at first, but steadily increases. Children, adults and seniors alike enjoy the use of the pool.

The pool is a standard 50 by 20 meters, and can hold 400 people. Every swimmer must get a health check and a deep-water certificate before entering the pool for safety reasons, services that are all available on the spot. The children who do not pass the simple swimming test are sorely disappointed, but the majority of people do pass.

One year after the Olympics, the Water Cube has transformed into a comprehensive aquatic sports center with swimming and water ballet performance programs. Large-scale interior reconstruction will start in October this year, according to working staff Miss Dong, including the wider enjoyment of facility use and opening of the diving area to the public.

The other Olympic venue that attracts people with its architecture and accessibility is, of course, the Bird’s Nest. The Bird’s Nest houses 91,000 seats, which were often filled to the limit during the hottest sporting events during the Olympics. Now, its huge size and amazing architecture draw tourists from all over the globe and the country. Many people take the opportunity to take photos outside of the Bird’s Nest, and for 50 RMB one can enter the actual stadium and explore the track and field that before was once only accessible through the television.

The Bird’s Nest is a great symbol that evokes various positive sentiments in its spectators. Pride and admiration are visible in the raised faces of people who mill inside and outside of this giant structure. For visitors and residents of Beijing, the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube are definitely important places to visit, even after the Olympics.

Video: Ren Cong

Story: Nina Baculinao

Editor: Ren Cong