Three architecture schemes have been picked for a final design of the National Stadium -- the main stadium for the 2008 Olympic Games, the Beijing Urban Planning Commission (BUPC) announced on Tuesday.

A consortium of Swiss company Herzog & De Meuron and China Architecture Design Institute, Beijing Architecture Design Institute, and a consortium of Japanese AXS Company and Tsinghua University Architecture Design Institute, won the design competition for their "unique" and "advanced" design concepts, the BUPC told a press conference.

An evaluation panel consisting of 13 architects and experts from five countries selected the three schemes from 13 shortlisted designs.

The 13 designs, shortlisted from a total of 44, will go on display at the Beijing International Convention Center from March 26-31 to solicit public opinions and suggestions.

The eventual design will draw up more detailed architectural plans, with construction work set to start on December 24, the BUPC said.

The 80,000-seat National Stadium, located in the south of the Olympic Green, will host the opening and closing ceremonies as well as track-and-field events during the 2008 Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2003)