You enter the competition pool from the locker rooms and arrive at the east side of the pool. This end of the pool features racing blocks where athletes like Rebecca Adlington and Michael Phelps took off from during the London 2012 Olympics and are still used during competitions today. Behind the competition pool is a wide glass wall with visitors walking to and from the entrance to the locker rooms, as well as a café station where visitors can buy refreshments. Through the other side of the glass enclosed hallway is the 50 metre training pool used for lessons, casual swimming and Family and kids activities.

To enter the pool, you can either discreetly slip into a lane from the blocks, or walk down the stairs on the side of the pool and make your way to a preferred lane. When in the pool, there is a shallow shelf on which to rest your feet which can be reached by adults over 1.5 meters in height. The edge of the pool is lined in white tiles and the pool water laps over these tiles as it flows down into a grate for constant filtering and cleaning to maintain the highest standard in aquatic facilities.

Whilst swimming, you’ll notice the lane dividers which float between lanes, as well as the tiled floor which helps guide swimmers to stay in your lane. Each lane is comfortably wide for two swimmers to pass each without contacting each other. And if you’re doing back stroke, the flags at the north and south sides of the lanes are an excellent way to know when you’re coming the end of a length.

Poolpods

The London Aquatics Centre operates Poolpods at the venue to enable people with limited mobility to have independent access to swimming pools. Any swimmer who finds using a pool ladder difficult can use Poolpod simply, easily and quickly.

Poolpods, funded by the London Marathon Charitable Trust, were launched at the London Aquatics Centre in March 2014 when it opened to the public. You can watch a full video of the launch by clicking here.

A platform lift and submersible wheelchairs are available in the main Competition Pool, in the Training Pool and the Diving Pool to facilitate access to every pool and let everyone enjoy a swim at the London Aquatics Centre. A full description of the equipment and products is available here.

Since our launch, customers, event organisers and other organisations have been giving positive feedback on the comfort and accessibility of Poolpods at the London Aquatics Centre.

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