MSU doctoral student Alec Kowalewski, left, and MSU professor John "Trey" Rogers in China.

Beijing National Stadium, aka the Bird's Nest, home of the 2008 Summer Olympics.

John "Trey" Rogers, MSU professor of turfgrass management.

From left: MSU professor John "Trey" Rogers, MSU doctoral student Alec Kowalewski and Weijun Zhao, director of MSU’s Office of China Programs, in Beijing.

Alec Kowalewski of MSU drives the tractor that spreads seeds on the construction site of the portable athletic field for the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

A blade of athletic turf in Beijing looks pretty much like a blade of grass in Michigan. MSU is using Kentucky bluegrass in Beijing National Stadium.

It will take 5,583 modules pieced together to make the portable athletic turf in Beijing National Stadium. Shown here at a construction site in August 2007 as the field is being prepared for seed.

Pea stone helps the turfgrass drain properly on the portable athletic turf for the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

These plastic modules, which weigh 1,100 pounds apiece when full, hold the portable athletic turf for the Summer Olympics. MSU professor John "Trey" Rogers explains the process to Weijun Zhao, right, director of MSU's Office of China Programs.

Chinese workers in September 2007 spread the topsoil on the portable athletic turf for the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

As part of a practice run, workers install the portable turf in Beijing National Stadium on May 13. A shot-put test competition was then held, and the turf held up nicely. It was removed May 26 and will be reinstalled for actual competition immediately after the opening ceremonies on Aug. 8.

Beijing National Stadium in May, after the portable athletic turf was moved in for a practice run.

From the module to the field (PDF)