The National Aquatic Center, known as the Water Cube, is going to be tried for the first time in a test event on Thursday.

As part of the Good Luck Beijing test events, the China Open swimming championships will show the Water Cube to the world and allow the facilities to be tested.

Li Aiqing, is president of the organizing committee for the swimming championships.

"We need this test event; through the event, the stadium's equipment and facilities can be fully tested."

More than 230 swimmers from 36 countries will participate in the China Open, but because it's a test event, there will not be any world-class swimmers taking part. Swimming powerhouses like the United States and Australia will only send observers to the event.

The Water Cube was ready for use on Monday after four years of construction. With a seating capacity of 17,000, it will host swimming, diving, and synchronized swimming competitions during this summer's Olympics.

It is the only Olympic venue that is financed by China's Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots.

(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2008)