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Laoshan Velodrome

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The indoor Laoshan Velodrome for the Beijing Olympics covers 33,320 square meters (8 acres) in floor space, 250-meter (273 yards) long and surrounded by 6,000 seats, including 3,000 temporary seats. The butterfly shaped course is a reflection of a cycling helmet and features unique speed. It is the only 24-hour indoor wooden cycling track in China.

The steel dome, shaped like a spider web, was built with over 200 lights. The oval 250 meters (273 yards), 24-hour wooden circuit is surrounded by rows of light blue seats. There is a big 'dormer', 56 meters (61 yards) in diameter, 33 meters (36 yards) from the ground at the center of the dome. The dual-layer polycarbonate dome is good for both illumination and light scattering. No lights are needed during daytime for regular training. Light scattering has lots of advantages. No spots will be seen on the circuit despite the dazzling Sun in Beijing in August so that cyclists' vision will not be affected. Since they will be traveling at speeds sometimes in excess of 85 kilometers (53 miles) per hour, on the indoor circuit, a vision block is particularly hazardous. Such a design 'kills two birds with one stone' such that no illumination is needed during daytime training, and at the sane time safety is assured.

More delicately, the 56 meter (61 yards) dormer is not a fixture. Rather, it can have 240 square meters (287 square yards) of openable windows controlled automatically. In the case of a fire, the windows will be opened automatically to let out the smoke. The course staff can also open the windows for ventilation to keep the air inside fresh.

The Laoshan Velodrome also sports a 250-meter (273 yards) round, angled, wooden circuit. The circuit has strict requirements for hardness and stiffness of materials used. Only a 50 mm error is tolerated for each 1,000 meters (1,094 yards) in parameter. The circuit forms an arc ramp from the center of the circle. The slope of the entire circuit is between 13 degrees and 47 degrees, in line with the standards of the International Cycling Union.

Such an oval circuit has straight lanes for cyclists to sprint and curves for them to show off their swerving skills.

The Laoshan course also has a circuit for the Paralympics, in addition to that for the Olympics. It has a 'large' lift for the disabled to go from the lounges to the circuit, for there is a five meter vertical gap between the two. The lift is 'large' enough to carry athletes in wheelchairs, spare wheelchairs and support staff, as well as an ambulance for immediate availability.

The design of the velodrome features sustainability with globally recognized environment-friendly building materials and technologies which maximize natural ventilation and lighting. It meets the requirements of 'Guidelines on Environment Friendliness of Olympic Projects' in terms of energy and resource conservation, solid waste treatment, and protection against electromagnetic radiation and laser pollution. In many ways it has reached international standards. 

Not only does it work for the Olympics and Paralympics, it is also the venue to play badminton, table tennis, the baseball and the indoor equestrian show after the match. Its high value has been efficiently taken advantage of.

 Entrance Fee: CNY 30 (adults); CNY 15 (kids under 1.2 m) 

 Opening Hours: 08:00 - 18:00

 Transportation:
A. Bus Routes: Take Bus No. 212, 318, 325, 327, 337, 354, 472, 527, 545, 597, 598, 663, 941, 958 or 959 and get off at Yejingyuan Lukou East.
B. Subway: Take Subway Line 1 and get off at Bajiao Amusement Park Station.

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