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. [Agencies]

Members of the Russian Imperial Ballet float in a boat across the Beijing Olympics swimming competition pool as they perform Swan Lake in 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. [Agencies]

Members of the Russian Imperial Ballet along with synchronised swimmers perform 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 unused white elephants dotting the city. [Agencies]

Members of the Russian Imperial Ballet perform 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. [Agencies]

Members of the Russian Imperial Ballet perform 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. [Agencies]

Members of the Russian Imperial Ballet perform 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. [Agencies]

A member of the Russian Imperial Ballet stands on a former starting block as he and fellow dancers, along with synchronised swimmers, perform 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. [Agencies]