An overview of the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium. The photo was taken on Friday, January 11, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

Construction of the Wukesong Indoor Stadium, the venue for basketball competition during the 2008 Olympic Games, has been completed and is ready for use.

Xinhua News Agency reported that the venue, located in western part of Beijing, will hold preliminary and runoff basketball competitions during the Olympics.

After the Olympic season, it will be used for large-scale sports competitions and art performances.

The basketball gymnasium with a construction area of 63,000 square meters is able to accommodate 18,000 viewers.

(CRI January 12, 2008)