U.S. firm wins key prizes in design contest for 2008 Games in Beijing

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 ◆ U.S. firm wins key prizes in design contest for 2008 Games in Beijing

The first winners of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing were announced recently with American architects Sasaki Associates scooping two prizes for design competitions, reports the China Daily.

The event was held for the conceptual designs of two major venues for the Games-the Olympic Green and the Wukesong Cultural and Sports Center.

San Fransisco-based Sasaki Associates won the top prize of 250,000 U.S. dollars for the Olympic Green-the nucleus of the Games which holds the Olympic Park, Athletes Village and the stadium which will host the opening ceremony-which was designed in partnership with Tianjin Huahui Architect and Design Company.

Sasaki also collected second prize for its design for the Wukesong Center as no design was deemed good enough for the top prize.

A total of 87 plans were submitted since the contest was opened in April, 54 for the Olympic Green and 33 for the Wukesong Center.