The main ice hockey arena for Beijing winter Olympics features modern technologies and sustainability

Stadium, the main venue for the 2022 Winter Olympic ice hockey competition, was tested for a full day in a 10 day ice sports testing scheme that will measure its willingness to play.

While the visitors' attention could be drawn to a competition-filled ice-hockey game on the ice in this comfortable and spacious stadium, the venue management group focused relentlessly on how to improve the quality of VR, a technology that will be appreciated by fans outside the stadium on the day of their games.

On the completion of the test, the team spoke of their pride in what they had accomplished in the areas of technology and sustainability.

"Our project will use VR technology during the competition to give the audience an interactive, multi-angle experience," said Professor Chen Baoquan, head of the Interactive VR Viewing Project. 

"We will broadcast the games live to the viewers' homes through cubes, and the viewers can experience the games through the cable network. At the same time, smartphones via 5G or Wi-Fi can also be used to experience the service."

Beijing has won the nomination to host the Games and has prioritized the transformation of the National Indoor Stadium, and sustainability is at the top of the site management team's strategy. 

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In the meantime, 164 high-beam indoor lights have been installed in stadium, above the minimum requirement of 120. 

Four suspension screens measuring 36 m2, located directly above the courtyard of the centre, are also set up to provide the largest size in Asia for better visibility inside the stadium. 

"This venue was used for gymnastics events for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and we have renovated it," Jin Liming, the assistant to general manager of Beijing Performance and Arts Group, said. "After the Winter Olympics, we hope to hold the top international hockey league here. Meanwhile, we can melt off the ice or put a mask on it to host some other sports or activities. So, this venue will be diversified in the future." 

According to Jin, after the Olympics are ended the stadium can also be converted easily into a competition venue for basketball, volleyball and indoor tennis events. However, for now, the focus of the site management team is how to optimize and improve the ice rink.