History
History
London Aquatics Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which was at the centre of the excitement during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is now a vibrant and accessible facility open to the whole community.
After the Games, London Aquatics Centre underwent an extensive transformation and re-opened to the general public on 1 March 2014. This world class venue houses two 50m Olympic sized pools, a 25m diving pool with boards and platforms up to 10m, dry diving zone, a state-of-the-art 90 station gym, fitness class studio, café and crèche.
London Aquatics Centre welcomes more than 1million people a year, is open to everyone and hosts a variety of activities including fitness and family swim sessions, inflatable fun sessions, swimming and diving lessons, as well as inclusive community activities. It also hosts national and international sporting events, including hosting the 2014 FINA/NVC Diving World Series and the 2016 European Aquatics Championships among many other high profile events such as the Super League Triathlon as well as numerous galas and competitions.
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Highlights
London Aquatics Centre was one of the stand-out venues of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, where it used for swimming, diving and synchronised swimming, hosting 32 events.
Among the high profile performances, Team GB's Michael Jamieson earned a silver medal in the 200m breaststroke, while Rebecca Adlington OBE contributed two bronze medals to Great Britain's count in the 400m and 800m freestyle swimming events. Tom Daley OBE, who now runs the Tom Daley Diving Academy at the venue, added to the joy by clinching a bronze medal in diving on the 10m platform.
During the Paralympics, London Aquatics Centre witnessed extraordinary achievements, with Ellie Simmonds OBE, claiming two gold medals, one of which came with the added feat of setting a World Record in the 400m freestyle.
The legendary Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian of all time, earning six medals, and concluding his illustrious Olympic career at London Aquatics Centre.
London Aquatics Centre Timeline
2004: London Aquatics Centre is designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid before London wins the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics
2005: In Singapore, the IOC award London the right to host the Games
2006: Revised architectural plans are unveiled by Zaha Hadid, allowing capacity for 17,500 spectators
2008: Construction contract awarded to Balfour Beatty in April and buildings works begin
2011: Construction of London Aquatics Centre is complete
2012: London Aquatics Centre plays host to the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games
2012: Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) awarded the contract by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) to operate London Aquatics Centre and Copper Box Arena for the next 10 years
2013: The two temporary "wings" are removed, reducing the capacity to a regular 2,500 with an additional 1,000 seats available for major events
2013: Legacy fit out and mobilisation begins including the recruitment of 50 local people to work at the venue
2013: London Aquatics Centre awarded the rights to host the FINA World Diving Series (April 2014) and the European Swimming Championships 2016
2014: London Aquatics Centre is re-opened and accessible to everyone for swimming, diving and International and community events
Would you like to know more about London Aquatics Centre?
Would you like to know more about London Aquatics Centre?