(Beijing, March 14) At a press conference for the upcoming "Good Luck Beijing" 2008 Water Polo China Open held on March 13 at Beijing's Ying Tung Natatorium, the event organizing committee briefed the media about its preparations for the six-day tournament scheduled to open on March 18.

Located at the Olympic Sports Center, the natatorium has been renovated with state-of-the-art materials to protect the environment and ensure the maximum use of natural ventilation and lighting. Featuring the idea of sustainable development, the renovation has set an example of resources-saving, solid waste treatment, protection against electronic interference and the use of new products to avoid ozone depleting substances.

So far a number of sports events have been held at the Olympic Sports Center, and through these events its venue team has accumulated rich experience in competition management and venue operation.

The 2008 Water Polo China Open has drawn four men's and four women's teams, namely the national teams from the United States, Australia, Russia and China in the women's division and the Australian national team, Chinese national team, China's Guangdong team and Shanghai team in the men's division.

According to the program, the tournament is divided into two stages, with the men's and women's preliminaries to be contested from March 18 to 21, the women's semifinals and finals on March 22, and the men's semifinals and finals on March 23.