The Beijing National Aquatics Center — aka the Water Cube — is one of the highlights of the coming Olympic Games.  Not only is the pool deep and cold (i.e., built for records to be broken), but the structure is an undisputed marvel of architecture.  I don't really understand the science behind it, but it's made of super-thin ultra-strong energy efficient foam or some shit.  Plus, it looks cool.  I mean, who doesn't like bubbles?

The Water Cube also has a distinct touch of Beijing, as there's fucking smog INSIDE THE BUILDING. 

The [Australian swim] team graced the Water Cube for the first time yesterday evening only to find the smog that has blanketed Beijing infiltrating the space-age aquatic centre… It had been thought the indoor nature of the pool would safeguard the swimmers from problems such as asthma which is known to afflict world record holders Grant Hackett, Libby Trickett and Jess Schipper.

Someone tell me again why Beijing is hosting the Olympics.  How did this happen?  What other cities applied to host these Games?  I have to think that the only other applicants were Mars and Inside a Volcano Somewhere.

[via DC Sports Bog]