BEIJING, Jan 31: The debut of China’s National Aquatics Cen-ter, nicknamed by the Chinese as “water cube”, has drawn accolades from International Olympic Committee (IOC) official.

“This is an excellent and wonderful facility...and the best aquatic venue by far,” said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Press Commission Chairperson, Richard Kevan Gosper.

“It (the Olympic test) will be a very successful event, and all operation work has gone very smoothly,” he told reporters on Thursday afternoon.

The Good Luck Beijing 2008 Swimming China Open, that opened on Thursday and serves as a test of the venue ahead of the Olymics, is scheduled to be participated by 234 swimmers from more than 36 countries and regions.

The 17,000-seat venue will host swimming, diving, synchronised swimming and water polo during the game period and 42 gold medals will be awarded there.

The squat box-like structure with three pools below ground level is made up of a steel skeleton sheathed in a Teflon-like plastic membrane that resembles bubbling water and gives the venue its name.

The eco-friendly structure’s translucent shell allows in natural sunlight, providing heat and light and cutting energy use by up to 30 percent, according to the information provided by the Beijing Olympic organizing committee.—AFP