News | World record for olympic field

16 fev 2011
The National “Bird’s Nest” Stadium is the central venue for the upcoming Olympics in Beijing,featuring the Athletic Competitions and the Men’s Football final match.The grass for the stadium is a portable field and is grown in a modular system of boxes of 1.2m by1.2m, which will be brought into the stadium after the Opening Ceremony finishes on August 8.The same system was in use at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, where it took three days to move themodules into the stadium. However, the Chinese are allowing only 24 hours to make thetransformation in Beijing, setting immediately the first World and Olympic record of the Games.

Entrance to Lai Gung Ying Base, where the Olympic grass is being cultivated
Cultivation of the turf is under the supervision of Michigan State Universities-Professor John N. Rogers-at Lai Gung Ying Base outside Beijing. The goal of a sports field is a uniform, dense playing surface and all practices were designed to provide uniform applications. The first seeding of 100% pure Kentucky bluegrass took place on September 11, 2007 using a Redexim-Charterhouse Speed Seed to plant the seed. The Speed Seed is a machine, which produces nearly 2000 holes per m2 for the seed to drop in and covering it, ensuring maximum germination and growing conditions for the grass. Following the harsh winter months, the grass could only first be mown at the beginning of April 2008. This was followed in early May with aeration with the Redexim-Charterhouse Verti-Knife. The Verti-Knife is a machine, which slices with discs through the soil. The soil is opened, root growth is stimulated and the surface is smoothened.
An application of the Redexim-Charterhouse Verti-Drain deep-tine aerator, for core cultivation, is foreseen for after the field has been transported into the Bird’s Nest Stadium and the Games are under way. It will be an important practice after Game traffic has commenced and the fences between the modules are removed.

The grass is grown in modules of 1.2x1.2m

September 11, 2007 - The Olympic Grass first being planted with the Speed Seed, producing nearly 2000 holes/ m2 for the seed to drop in.

September 19, 2007:The seed germinating

November 2, 2007 - Just before winter, an even dense grass cover was developed so that the turf is well resistant to absorb the upcoming harsh cold months.

March 31, 2008:The field over wintered very well and the grass comes out of dormancy.

April 11, 2008: A root mass of 10-12 cm in length was measured, what is quite good for that time period. (photo by A. Kowalewski)

Early May, 2008: The turf is being sliced with the Verti-Knife, and thus the soil is being aerated and root growth stimulated.

Verti-Drain 7212 breaking soil compaction in the Beijing Workers Stadium, venue for the Olympic Football Competitions, including the Ladies Football final match.

May 13, 2008: The complete modular field is moved into the Birds Nest Stadium as part of a test. (photo by A. Kowalewski)