Yingdong Natatorium

Yingdong Natatorium

Situated within the garden-style National Olympic Sports Center, Yingdong Natatorium was constructed in 1986 for the 11th Asian Games. The facility spans 38,000 square meters and has a seating capacity of 6,000. With its distinctive architectural design, state-of-the-art equipment, and well-developed amenities, it offers a comfortable environment. The water treatment system is advanced, ensuring water quality that is disinfected with chlorine and ozone, and filtered through multiple layers using natural quartz sea sand. The water meets international professional competition standards.

Yingdong Natatorium served as the competition venue for water polo and the swimming segment of the modern pentathlon during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Named "Yingdong" after the late Hong Kong businessman (who passed away in 2006), the natatorium was funded with a HK$100 million donation he made during Beijing’s successful bid for the 1990 Asian Games to build the Athletes' Village. At the time, it was the largest natatorium in Asia. Additionally, the venue also hosted the swimming competitions for the 2001 World University Games.

To date, the natatorium covers a construction area of 43,020 square meters and houses four pools: a standard competition pool, a training pool, a diving pool, and a warm-up pool. Due to its long history and its role as one of the Beijing Olympic venues, the Beijing Olympic Committee began renovating the natatorium in December 2005, with a target completion date around September 2007.