Olympic Games

Venues-Capital Indoor Stadium

Capital Indoor Stadium

Last Updated: Monday, August 17, 2009 | 4:52 PM ET

Bernice Chan CBC Sports

Picture shows the facade of Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing on April 18, 2008. (Liu Jin/Getty Images)The Capital Indoor Stadium was built in 1968 and for 40 years it has been China’s biggest indoor stadium. Now, with the Olympics coming, it has a new lease on life as the venue for the volleyball tournaments.

Not much was done to the exterior, which looks like a giant rectangular building from the Soviet era, built more for practicality than style. And the VIP rooms look very Chinese, with blood-red carpeting, high ceilings, plain white walls and chairs draped with white covering for easier maintenance.

Players from Chinese volleyball teams play a match at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing on April 18, 2008. (Liu Jin/Getty Images)Inside, the space looks brand-new after a year-and-a-half of renovations. A new wooden floor has been installed, using wood imported from overseas. The flooring meets the strict standards of the National Basketball Association.

So not only is the space ideal for basketball and volleyball, but also table tennis, badminton and gymnastics. In 2001 it was the site of the World University Games.

And if China were ever to host the winter games, this stadium would be able to host the figure skating and ice hockey events. By using a mechanical system, the floor can be removed to create an ice rink.

Located in the northwest side of Beijing, the stadium seats 18,000 and the old chairs were ripped out and shiny new plastic ones in red, blue, yellow and green installed. Beijing Olympic organizers boast the renovations have extended the life of the stadium for another 30 years. Sounds like money well spent.