Before a single medal has been won within its walls, the stunning Bird’s Nest stadium, host to Track & Field events as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, is stealing attention in Beijing. The New York Times offers an architecture review, and the NYTimes.com “Rings” blog has posted a not-sticking-to-the-talking-points interview with the stadium’s designer, who is skipping the Opening Ceremony and calls these Olympics China’s “pretend smile.” I wonder if the interview is accessible by computer within China’s borders…

By Ryan Quinn