A volunteer talks to his co-worker, dressed as a Beijing 2008 Olympic Games mascot, during the Good Luck Beijing 2008 Swimming China Open at the National Aquatics Center, nicknamed the "Water Cube", in Beijing January 31, 2008. The Olympic venue for swimming, diving and synchronised swimming at the Beijing Games opened with a test event on Thursday allowing the Chinese capital's residents to ponder the ethereal cuboid structure at close range for the first time.

Competitors dive during the women's 4x 200M freestyle relay finals during the Good Luck Beijing 2008 Swimming China Open at the National Aquatics Center, nicknamed "Water Cube", in Beijing February 1, 2008.

Athletes compete in the men's 200m freestyle heats during the "Good Luck Beijing" Swimming China Open at the National Aquatics Center, also known as the "Water Cube", in Beijing January 31, 2008.

A South Korean athlete competes in the men's 200m freestyle heats during the "Good Luck Beijing" Swimming China Open at the National Aquatics Center, also known as the "Water Cube", in Beijing January 31,2008.

Officials watch as swimmers compete in the Good Luck Beijing 2008 Swimming China Open at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing January 31, 2008.

Children play with an Olympic mascot outside the National Aquatics Center during the Good Luck Beijing 2008 Swimming China Open, in Beijing February 1, 2008.

(Agencies via China Daily February 2, 2008)