A member of the Russian Imperial Ballet stands on a former starting block as she performs Swan Lake at the Beijing Olympics swimming competition pool at the National Aquatics Centre, also known as the Water Cube, in Beijing August 13, 2009. China was determined to have iconic venues like the Water Cube aquatics centre and the Bird's Nest stadium for their first hosting of the Olympic Games, but were also keen to avoid leaving a legacy of white elephants dotting the city.
