Construction advances on wave-like stadium centrepiece for 2021 Asian Youth Games

Set to stage the third Asian Youth Games in November, the port of Shantou in China's Guangdong Province is moving forward with the construction of new sports venues, including the event’s centrepiece venue with its innovative wave-like roof.

Being held in the southern Chinese city from 20th to 28th November, the roof of the Games’ centrepiece venue on the city’s shoreline has been described by its designer as resembling "dancing waves”, consistent with the Games theme ‘Surging Waves, Dynamic Youth’.

Describing the purpose-built venue, project head Zhang Hongchuan from China Construction Eighth Engineering Division Corp told Beijing-based news service CGTN “the size of every part of the arc-shaped steel structure is different. That requires us to process every piece precisely. The margin of error should not exceed 1.5 centimetres.

"Now we've finished the installation of all the steel structure and the biggest margin of error is only eight millimetres.”

With a capacity of 22,000 spectators the venue will host the Games’ opening and closing ceremonies, and track and field events.

Located 50 metres from the South China Sea, the structure needs to be resistant both to the region's frequent typhoons and to erosion by salt in the atmosphere.

Zhang advised “we've used stainless steel materials and our patented special techniques to ensure the stability of the construction.

"Through simulated wind resistance test, it proved that the building can resist level 18 gusts and level 15 strong winds."

The construction project started in 2019 but was suspended due to three typhoons and the COVID-19 pandemic. Now facing a much tighter deadline, more than 1,500 workers have been on shifts around the clock to ensure both quality and efficiency.

The construction company says this project will be finished by the end of May before other contractors will go on to install the security, firefighting, water and electrical facilities.

With Shantou one of China's special economic zones and a key port, local officials believe the Asian Youth Games will help boost the local economy and attract more talent to the area.

Originally planned as the fourth Games, the Olympic Council of Asia postponed the third Asian Youth Games inShantou from 2017 to 2021.

Images: The concept for the wave-like stadium under construction for the Asian Youth Games in Shantou (top) and the venue under construction in March (below). Credit: China Construction Eighth Engineering Division Corp.