Aquatics Centre

Venue

Aquatics Centre

Capacity

17 500

Completion date

July 2011

Sports

Diving, Swimming, Synchronised Swimming, Modern Pentathlon

Events

Latitude/Longitude

51.540143/-0.010557

Transport links

Tube - Stratford;
Rail or Docklands Light Railway - Stratford International Station, West Ham Station

Diving
Swimming
Synchronised Swimming
Modern Pentathlon

As well as hosting the swimming, diving, synchronised swimming and Modern Pentathlon competitions, the Aquatics Centre acts as the main gateway to the Olympic Park during the London 2012 Games, with the majority of spectators entering the park across a bridge that runs over the top of the venue.

There are two 50-metre swimming pools at the Aquatics Centre - one for competition and one for warm-up - and a 25-metre diving pool, along with its own dry warm-up area. With its wave-like roof design, the venue has a distinctive look and after the Games the facility will be transformed into a community centre - with both pools having moveable floors to allow for greater flexibility for use by swimmers of all abilities.

Built with the environment in mind, the pool water will be reused to flush the toilets at the venue.

Aquatics Centre Preview

DSTV content

Interesting Facts

Construction

The Aquatic Centre is the London Olympics' most majestic space.But it is also 2012's most difficult child, the first venue to be designed, the last to be finished.
The building was designed by celebrated Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid and built by Balfour Beatty at an estimated cost of £268 million.
It features a signature wavelike roof measuring 160 metres long and 80 metres wide.The stunning ceiling, which soars over the two 50m pools, were built out of sustainably sourced Red Lauro timber.
Four skeletons were discovered and removed from a prehistoric settlement discovered on the site of the Aquatics Center.
The exterior was constructed with precast modular blocks of concrete, which not only reduced the amount of emissions required to build the facility, but also eliminated the need for painting.
The venue has a Games-time capacity of 17 500, but many of the seats will be accommodated in two temporary wings that will be dismantled after the Games, leaving a permanent facility with a maximum capacity of 3 500. The interior stands are made from steel and phthalate-free PVC wrap that will be recycled after the games.

The Pools

The building features a 50-metre competition pool, a 25-metre competition diving pool, a 50m warm-up pool and a ‘dry’ warm-up area for divers.
The pools don’t smell of chlorine as 13 high-tech filters will clean the water.
The water temperature of the Olympic pool must be within one degree of 26°C.

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