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Operators of the iconic Water Cube National Aquatics Centre in Beijing yesterday defended their running of the venue following claims the on-going Olympic Diving World Cup test event had been blighted by scenes of 'chaos'.
British newspaper The Daily Telegraph published a story yesterday saying  the site's managers ordered spectators - included disabled visitors - on a long detour to the entrance to the 17,000 seat Olympic showcase.
The report also claimed hordes of touts were selling tickets to locals at inflated prices in front of police and officials. It said genuine diving fans from home and abroad complained they had had problems obtaining tickets through official box offices.
'I hope the critics can be more understanding and objective about our operation,' Li Rong, the media operations manager of the arena, which will host the Olympic diving, swimming and synchronised swimming events in August.
Li said the relocation of the spectator entrance, unlike the one for staff was due to uncompleted construction.
'In August, the spectator entrance will be moved to a more convenient location,' said Li, who also 'promised to step up' volunteer services to help disabled spectators during the remaining two days of diving competition.
Beijing police said they arrested six touts on Thursday, according to a press release issued by the venue's management team.
Yet illegal ticket sellers - an ubiquitous sight at public events on the mainland - remained a visible force yesterday. Last night, tickets on the black market for the women's three-metre springboard fixtures - which featured Chinese diving team's poster girl and defending Olympic champion Guo Jingjing - soared above five times the face value on the black market.
'We bought three 80-yuan deals for 400 each,' said Miao Xiaoyuan, a local engineer who attended the tournament along with his wife and son. 'But I think it's still worth it.'
As of last night, China were poised to claim all five gold medals on offer at the event, which serves as an Olympic qualifier, with the women's three metre  and men's 10m springboard events tipped to be won by mainlanders.
The country has built a formidable dominance that has won 11 of the 16 golds on offer over the past two Olympics.
'China as a nation has far more commitment to this sport than any other nation in the world,' said Mitch Geller, the Canadian diving team's performance director.



Pool operators deny they are in over their heads