China turfgrass

Beijing’s field of dreams built on a Spartan foundation

 

Unless you like watching grass grow, you probably missed Michigan State’s crucial role in the Beijing Summer Olympics.

But thanks to MSU’s renowned turf team, the world’s best soccer players and shot-putters were able to perform on a world-class field. The team was contracted to help China grow and install a portable athletic turf in the new Beijing National Stadium.

The stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, was used for major track and field events and the men’s gold medal soccer match. The portable turf was grown in an alternative location and, following the opening ceremonies, moved into the stadium in advance of the track and field competition.

“By all accounts, the field did its job and was a rousing success,” said John “Trey” Rogers, MSU turf science professor and project leader.

Once again, MSU gave the world the Gurus of Grass. University researchers first introduced portable turf at the 1994 World Cup in the Pontiac Silverdome, the first time World Cup soccer was played indoors. That was a spectacle. Then came Spartan Stadium – the ultimate home field – followed by the Athens, Greece, Olympics in 2004.

Rogers said the process of planting, managing and moving the turf was a challenge, particularly considering Beijing's brutally hot, humid weather.

Joining Rogers on the team were professor James Crum, doctoral student Alec Kowalewski and Weijun Zhao, director of MSU’S Office of China Programs.

Read the news release online.

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