Olympiastadion Berlin: Focus of a billion eyes
A gross capacity of 74,220 and total seating capacity of 66,021 is impressive, but it is a global audience of well over a billion that thrusts the stadium into the spotlight.
In 1998, a debate was unleashed among the Berlin public, concerning the stadium's destiny.
Some wanted to tear it down and build a new one, others wanted to let it slowly crumble.
Finally, everyone agreed on renovation. FIFA appointed it one of the venues of the 2006 World Cup and, in 2000, reconstruction began at a cost of 242 million Euros.
It had do be done with extreme care, considering the listed status of the structure.
Image: General view of the Olympiastadion in Berlin.