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Rot a shame

Haunting images show 2008 Beijing Olympic venues in overgrown ruins ten years on from spectacular Games

IT'S been ten years since the magnificent 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing... and time has not been kind on the once gleaming venues across the Chinese capital.

At the time, China was hailed for staging an incredible show for the entire world to enjoy thanks to a combination of incredible architectural feats and excellent organisation.

In 2018, the arenas used at the Beijing Games are lying in utter ruin, abandoned and forgotten - including the water run
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In 2018, the arenas used at the Beijing Games are lying in utter ruin, abandoned and forgotten - including the water runCredit: AFP
Sections of the course now look more like a swamp
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Sections of the course now look more like a swampCredit: AFP or licensors
In 2008, the water run was a colourful, impressive feat of architecture
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In 2008, the water run was a colourful, impressive feat of architectureCredit: AFP - Getty
The once thriving BMX park looks more like a jungle after falling into a state of disrepair
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The once thriving BMX park looks more like a jungle after falling into a state of disrepairCredit: AFP
In 2008, however, the BMX park was another thriving, colourful showstopper of a venue
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In 2008, however, the BMX park was another thriving, colourful showstopper of a venueCredit: Getty
The BMX track used at the Beijing Games of a decade ago is now little more than weeds and memories
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The BMX track used at the Beijing Games of a decade ago is now little more than weeds and memoriesCredit: AFP
The BMX track is particularly shocking in its much-unwanted makeover of the past decade
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The BMX track is particularly shocking in its much-unwanted makeover of the past decadeCredit: AFP

President of the International Olympic Committee, Count Rogge, was just won to pile praise on the organisers of the Beijing extravaganza.

Rogge described the Beijing National Stadium as "one of the world's new wonders" and a "fitting setting for an amazing Opening Ceremony."

But despite dazzling the globe in 2008, a decade on and the show takes a somewhat sombre turn.

The water-sport parks are now completely dried-up - including the once glittering white-water rafting run, now in absolute ruin.

Beijing Olympics kicks off in style with amazing fireworks display
Fast forward ten years and the BMX park is utterly unrecognisable and little more than a dilapidated mess
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Fast forward ten years and the BMX park is utterly unrecognisable and little more than a dilapidated messCredit: AFP
The beach volleyball stadium is now the scene of rusting metal, rotting wood and sand
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The beach volleyball stadium is now the scene of rusting metal, rotting wood and sandCredit: AFP
A decade ago, the very same arena was a bustling, thriving arena full of fans
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A decade ago, the very same arena was a bustling, thriving arena full of fansCredit: PA:Press Association
The beach volleyball arena has been allowed to disintegrate into a dangerous minefield of hazards
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The beach volleyball arena has been allowed to disintegrate into a dangerous minefield of hazardsCredit: AFP

The beach volleyball stands are now reduced to rust and rotting wood while the once show-stopping BMX track now looks more like a jungle with a rusty sail poking its ugly head through the greenery.

Sprawled across Beijing are more haunting reminders of yesteryear - with mascots including Nini, Yingjing and Beibei lying in tatters across the grounds.

While the impressive Bird's Nest Stadium is still in use to this day - it would appear to be the only one still going strong.

In fact, the 91,000-seat arena is scheduled to play host to the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2022 Winter Olympic games.

3D tour of the Olympic village
Mascots from the 2008 Games lie strewn across the city in a haunting reminder of yesteryear
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Mascots from the 2008 Games lie strewn across the city in a haunting reminder of yesteryearCredit: AFP
The mascots were once the pride of Beijing with fans buying soft versions back in 2008
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The mascots were once the pride of Beijing with fans buying soft versions back in 2008Credit: Jack Hill - The Times
The severed mascots hide in the now overgrown jungle that is the Olympic Village
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The severed mascots hide in the now overgrown jungle that is the Olympic VillageCredit: AFP
The old canoeing and rowing venue has become a rusted reminder of a better time in Beijing
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The old canoeing and rowing venue has become a rusted reminder of a better time in BeijingCredit: AFP
While London 2012 arenas are all still in full flow, the Games of four years prior have seen a somewhat different life
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While London 2012 arenas are all still in full flow, the Games of four years prior have seen a somewhat different lifeCredit: AFP

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The Olympics Games of 2008 is little more than a distant memory for Beijing
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The Olympics Games of 2008 is little more than a distant memory for BeijingCredit: AFP

The scenes in China are a far cry from the fallout from the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Now, the Olympic Stadium - now called the London Stadium - plays host to West Ham, as well as a host of major athletics meetings.

The Copper Box Arena is the home of British Basketball League side the London Lions - and is also available to hire to play basketball and badminton or even try your hand at boxing.

The stunning Aquatics Centre still sits proudly opposite the London Stadium, used by the general public and Olympians alike to this very day.

Beijing 2008's legacy will now be tarnished after the impressive spectacle has turned into a haunting reminder
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Beijing 2008's legacy will now be tarnished after the impressive spectacle has turned into a haunting reminderCredit: AFP
Ten years ago, Beijing put on an Olympic show for the world to remember with the 'Bird's Nest' stadium the centre piece
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Ten years ago, Beijing put on an Olympic show for the world to remember with the 'Bird's Nest' stadium the centre pieceCredit: AFP
The Beijing Games was one the biggest event in sport, with fans flocking from across the globe to be part of the action
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The Beijing Games was one the biggest event in sport, with fans flocking from across the globe to be part of the actionCredit: AFP
Beijing 2008's arenas are now little more than a rusting, rotting, overgrown, weed-ridden hazards
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Beijing 2008's arenas are now little more than a rusting, rotting, overgrown, weed-ridden hazardsCredit: AFP

Other venues, such as Dorney Lake - home of the rowing and canoeing - as well as the Lee Valley White Water Centre are still going strong.

However, China is not the only nation to fall foul of the post-Olympics hangover, with Rio De Janeiro suffering a similar fate.

In Brazil, a number of the venues are also in utter disrepair - with their £9BILLION Games legacy in tatters.

It took just six months for the Rio arenas to be completely abandoned, forgotten... now we wait and see how Tokyo deals with its post-Oympics care in 2020.

The Bird's Nest is the only Olympic-used stadium still entertaining fans today, with the rest left to rot
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The Bird's Nest is the only Olympic-used stadium still entertaining fans today, with the rest left to rotCredit: AFP
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