London Aquatics Centre

　　The London Aquatics Centre is situated at the southeastern corner of the Stratford Olympic Park in East London and is an indoor aquatic sports venue. During the Olympics, it hosted competitions in swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, water polo, and other events. It also served as the “gateway” to the Olympic Park, as it was estimated that two-thirds of spectators entered the park via a bridge spanning the top of the Aquatics Centre.

　　Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, construction of the centre began in 2008 and was completed in 2011. Its most distinctive feature is its spectacular wave-like roof, which measures 160 meters in length and 80 meters in width—its span is even longer than that of Terminal 5 at London Heathrow Airport. The centre includes a 50-meter competition pool, a 25-meter diving pool, a 50-meter warm-up pool, and a dedicated warm-up area for divers. During the London Olympics, most spectators watched the events from temporary seating wings on either side of the centre. After the Games, these wings were removed, reducing the seating capacity from 17,500 to 2,500.

　　After the Olympics, the Aquatics Centre serves the local community, sports clubs, and schools, and remains available for use by elite athletes for training.

　　London Aquatics Centre Reason to visit: One of the main venues for the London Summer Olympics and Paralympics Continent: Europe [Europe] Country/Region: United Kingdom [Britain] Province/State: Greater London [Greater London] City: London [London]