Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

    BEIJING, July 26 (Xinhua) -- The Fencing Hall of the National Convention Center is fully prepared for the Beijing Olympics with 13 days away, and will open to fencing athletes for training on Sunday.

    Preparation has been completed in all aspects including the venue construction, event organization and the logistic service, manager of the venue Song Liandi said.

    The fencing venue, which is adjacent to the Main Press Center (MPC), will also host shooting disciplines of the Modern Pentathlon event in the Olympics. Besides, the Paralympic wheelchair fencing and boccia events will also be held here.

    More than 1,500 venue staff members and volunteers, including 13from overseas attended a ceremony and signed their signatures, and vowed to provide top-class service to the games.

    "The venue is fantastic. I have nothing to complain about," said Donald. James Hook, the assistant to the venue's press manager from Australia, who have also worked for the Sydney and Athens games.

    He said the Olympic venue should seriously consider the maintenance cost after the games. "Beijing has done a good job on it," he applauded after he learnt that the Fencing Hall, as a temporary facility, will be converted into a large conference hall with capacity for 6,000 people.

    Covering an area of 56,000 square meters, the venue includes a training hall for fencing, event management offices, warm-up facilities, and an official competition hall.

    It is equipped with 10 fencing lanes, 36 shooting targets, and seating for 4,400 spectators to meet the requirements of the Modern Pentathlon event.