Olympic-size swimming pool

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An Olympic-size swimming pool is the type of swimming pool used in the Olympic Games and other "long course" events (meaning 50 meters in length and not 25 meters or 25 yards). The size of this pool is also commonly used to define the size of other objects, or to describe a volume of a substance in layman's terms.^[1][2][3]

[edit] Specifications

The FINA specifications for an Olympic-size pool are as follows:

A simplified diagram of the FINA long course swimming pool standard, used at the World Championships and Summer Olympics.

There must be two spaces 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) wide outside lanes 1 and 8 (in effect, two empty lanes).^[4] The length of 50 metres (164 ft) must be between the touch pads at the end of each lane, if they are used.^[4]

[edit] Examples of use to define volume

• The population of the United Kingdom produce enough rubbish to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool in 3 minutes and 40 seconds; London alone could fill an Olympic-size swimming pool with rubbish every half-hour.^[1]
• By 2010, Wales will have 10,000 m³ (350,000 cu ft) of nuclear waste — enough to fill four Olympic size swimming pools.^[2]
• The concrete laid while renovating the TPC at Sawgrass golf course — over 2,600 cu yd (2,000 m³) as of 26 March 2007 — would be almost enough to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool.^[3]

• the average in-ground residential swimming pool is 16,000-28,000 gallons. The Olympic pool at ~660,000 gallons holds approx. 30 times more water.
• An olympic sized pool holds enough water to satisfy the daily water needs of 11 people (US) for one year (average).

[edit] See also

• List of Olympic-size swimming pools in the United Kingdom
• List of Olympic-size swimming pools in Ireland
• Short course

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} Jowit, Juliette (2006-02-12). "How long does it take Britons to fill a swimming pool with rubbish?". The Observer. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2006/feb/12/theobserversuknewspages.uknews. Retrieved on 2008-07-30. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Welsh nuclear waste would fill four Olympic swimming pools". NewsWales. 2006-01-05. http://www.newswales.co.uk/?section=Environment&F=1&id=8879. Retrieved on 2008-07-30. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Facts and figures about the renovation at TPC Sawgrass" (Press release). PGATOUR.com. PGA Tour. 2007-03-26. http://www.pgatour.com/2007/tournaments/r011/03/26/factsfigures032607/index.html. Retrieved on 2008-07-30. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} FINA Facilities Rules