A worker takes photographs under the Olympic diving platforms during the inauguration ceremony of the National Aquatics Center in Beijing January 28, 2008. China officially unveiled its bubble-wrapped National Aquatics Center, nicknamed the "Water Cube", on Monday, one of the two iconic venues for this year's Beijing Olympics. The imposing rectangular box, clad in a honeycomb of transparent cushions, will host the swimming, diving and synchronised swimming during the Aug. 8-24 sporting spectacular.

A worker cleans near the Olympic swimming pool during the inauguration ceremony of the National Aquatics Center in Beijing January 28, 2008.

A Chinese security guard keeps watch near diving platforms during the inauguration ceremony of the National Aquatics Center in Beijing January 28, 2008.

The Beijing National Aquatics Center, popularly known as the "Water Cube", is one of the landmark buildings rising in Beijing's Olympic Green. The dramatic venue will host its first test events on Thursday.

An overview of the Olympic swimming pool and diving platforms during the inauguration ceremony of the National Aquatics Center in Beijing January 28, 2008.

(Agencies via China Daily January 28, 2008)