A worker paves a road outside the National Swimming Center, dubbed the "Water Cube", on January 2, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

Beijing's National Swimming Center, dubbed the "Water Cube", will soon hold its first test competition to ascertain its functionality for the Beijing Olympic Games.

The 2008 China Swimming Open will kick off on January 31 and run for a week.

Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday that workers have started to pave roads outside the key Olympic venue to welcome the competition.

Meanwhile, another notable Olympic venue, the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest", has started to have seats installed. Construction that began at the end of 2003 is expected to be completed in March.

Workers pave a road outside the National Swimming Center, dubbed the "Water Cube", on January 2, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

Two workers install seats at the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest", on January 2, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

(CRI January 3, 2008)