The flag poles used for medal ceremonies stand next to the deserted and unmaintained former course for the kayaking competition of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, located on the outskirts of Beijing March 27, 2012. The gigantic infrastructures built for the Beijing Olympics, namely the “Bird’s Nest”, and the National Aquatics Centre, also known as the “Water Cube”, are now used for cultural and sports events, reminding the world of the flare that blazed during the summer of 2008. However, some other Beijing Olympic venues, such as the rowing and kayaking centre, baseball arena and BMX track, have been left either deserted or been completely demolished. Picture taken March 27, 2012. REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA – Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS)