The Beijing 2008 Olympics came to China just as the country hit the accelerator on a major infrastructure building programme. Among dozens of convention centres put up in double quick time was the China National Convention Centre (CNCC), used as the Games’ press and broadcasting centre. It was then retro-fitted for its original purpose.
Beijing’s 22m inhabitants form part of the largest population on Earth, 1.3bn. The capital was crying out for new business infrastructure and the 2008 Olympics helped deliver it.
Beijing was narrowly pipped in the race for the 2000 Olympics, won by Sydney, but silver turned to gold when the China bid secured the 2008 Games.
The 2008 Olympics, 8-24 August, were part of a trilogy of global events in Beijing, including the Paralympics, 6-17 September, and the World Mind Sports Games, 3-18 October.
Thirty-one venues included 12 new builds, as the Beijing Games drew the largest TV audience in Olympic history.
There were 43 world records and China won the most gold medals (51).
How much?
China’s Organising Committee report estimated the cost of its Games at “generally as for Athens in 2004” (US$15bn). Beijing claimed surplus revenues of $16bn, although other international estimates say the true cost was $40bn, making Beijing’s the most expensive Games ever.
Infrastructure projects
- Air. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) got a new terminal and 1999 passenger capacity of 36m became 55m by the time of the 2008 Olympics, making it the world’s busiest airport
Road. Five ring roads were constructed, with eight-lane highways signifying 1,509km of new roads - Rail. An Airport Express and a Subway extension with three new lines were built at a cost of $3.3bn. The work expanded the system by 40 per cent to 201km. Beijing Metro could handle 3.5m passengers a day
- Hotels. Over 18,200 new hotel properties were constructed 2005-2010
The toilet story
The service sector’s ability to deliver was often questioned before the Games and Beijing’s lack of public toilets in particular criticised.
The city even hosted the World Toilet Summit in 2004 and during 2005-2008, renovated 5,333 public toilets thanks to a $57m investment.
Venue builds
The CNCC exhibition hall housed during the Games what was the 62,000sqm International Broadcasting Center (IBC). Today’s Plenary Hall hosted the fencing and pistol shooting competition, while the Ballroom was used as a warm up area for athletes in 2008.
The IBC was the largest media centre in Olympic history and news agencies AP, Reuters, AFP,
and Xinhua were allocated 400sqm of office space inside. A further 144 media organisations rented 110 offices and the centre also housed two hotels.
This legacy today provides 40,000sqm of exhibition space; 25,000sqm of function space and 99 meeting rooms.
Caterers Aramark served 1,500 breakfasts and 2,000, dinners in kitchens that have subsequently tripled in size to 6,200sqm.
The legacy
The Beijing Games were accepted as a logistical success and China’s command economy delivered a major infrastructure legacy for the city and its tourism industry. New iconic buildings kick started the Chinese convention industry, with CNCC its flagship, and venue for Reed Travel Exhibitions’ CIBTM show.
By 2009 Beijing had entered ICCA’s list of Top 10 association meeting cities with 96 qualifying meetings, fast closing on top placed Singapore. London has plenty to live up to.
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