From the Panathenaikon Stadium in Athens, where the first modern Olympic Games were held 112 years ago, the Olympic flame is being passed onto the National Stadium - the main venue for this summer's Beijing Games.

The National Stadium of China, also known as the Bird's Nest and the main venue holding the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics, conducts lighting tests in Beijing, April 13, 2008.

For Chinese architect Li Xinggang it symbolizes not only the relay of the Olympic spirit, but also the inheritance of classical architecture.

"From an architect's viewpoint, Panathenaikon Stadium reflects the basic elements of a stadium - the stands and a field, while the design of the National Stadium was also inspired from the relation between the stands and the field," said Li.

The 39-year-old Li was one of the chief architects of the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest for its giant latticework structure of metal girders resembles a nest.

In November 2002, the China Architecture Design and Research Group and Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron launched a joint bid for the design of the National Stadium.

Four months later, the scheme produced by Li and his colleagues was chosen as the winner.

"The assessment by the judging panel, together with the voting results by the public, justified our initial thoughts," said Li. " When I received the official document that confirmed our victory, I had only one feeling -- our design deserves it."

Despite the stadium's unusual design, their architectural concept was very simple, Li said.

"We were inspired by the shape of a bowl with lower tiers and higher tiers," he said. "It embodies the essence of a sports stadium."

The icon of the Beijing Olympics is hosting its first official event on Friday and Saturday -- a low-key race-walking meet, but the final touches on the 91,000-seat stadium won't be completed until next month.

"I have spent six years on this project and have regarded it as my child. Witnessing it grows up, it's really an unforgettable experience for me," said Li.

"Many people are marveled by its outward appearance, but you can only feel its real charm when you go inside.

"I believe all the spectators and athletes will appreciate it very much when the competitions start."

In addition to the opening ceremony, the stadium will host track and field events and the closing ceremony.

(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2008)