To prepare for the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games on Nov 9, the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center in Tianhe district has undergone upgrades while adhering to the principles of frugality, safety, and excellence.

Guo Jia, the chief designer from the South China University of Technology, indicated that the renovations encompassed the steel roof, racing fields, lighting, and seating arrangements, with the incorporation of PTFE membranes to enhance visual appeal.

The iconic "floating ribbon" roof now features dynamic lighting effects, while the stands retain designs like "kapok blossoms" and "Greater Bay waves".

The "floating ribbon" roof of the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

The venue incorporates regional elements as the first-ever National Games co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. The seating uses four shades of blue to symbolize the "Greater Bay current", complemented by kapok's red, bauhinia's purple, and lotus leaves' green.

A new smart management platform integrates IoT and big data to monitor nearly 20,000 terminals, improving efficiency and reducing energy use by 15 to 20 percent. Sustainable features like solar panels and greenery were also added.

The "kapok blossoms" design of the stands in the sports center. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

After the events, the venue will transition to public recreational use. The second floor will open as a fitness zone, and the outdoor square will be converted into a sports park. A 3-kilometer AI-enabled running track will provide real-time health monitoring, while the swimming pool will offer palm-vein recognition lockers for enhanced convenience.