A view of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, with colourful lights is seen at the Olympic Green in Beijing July 29, 2008. The Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, athletics and football final will be staged at the National Stadium during the Beijing Olympic Games. (Photo: Chinadaily.com)

Performers sit beside their covered props at the Olympic Green on their way to the National Stadium, or Bird's Nest, for the Olympic opening ceremony rehearsal in Beijing July 30, 2008.(Photo: Chinadaily.com)