Capacity: 27,000

Location: Penrith Lakes

Oympic Sports: Rowing, Canoe/Kayak

Dates: 17-24 September

Cost: 36 million dollars (22 million US, 14.6 million pounds)

Distance from Sydney Olympic Park: 47km

Distance from Sydney City: 61km

Finding a two kilometre stretch of calm water in Sydney for the Olympic rowing and canoe/kayak events was no easy task.

Sydney's rivers are narrow and windy and full of pleasure and commercial craft.

The solution was to build the Sydney International Regatta Centre in a former sand and gravel quarry.

However, competitors at the Australian rowing and canoeing Olympic trials in April complained about the cross-winds and weeds.

Builders promised to get rid of the weeds. It remains to be seen what they can do about the wind.