A swooping building of curving concrete and glass, the London Aquatics Centre is one of the showpieces of the city's Olympic park. Built for the games, it now serves as a public pool and a venue for great swimming events. The centre was designed by a famous architect known for her bold, flowing forms. Its wave-like roof seems to ripple over the pools below. It was built for the Olympic and Paralympic games held in the city, where the world's best swimmers and divers competed. It was one of the main venues. During the games, temporary stands on either side held vast crowds, but these were removed afterwards. The building was reshaped for everyday use. Inside are two long competition pools and a separate pool for diving, with high boards rising above the water. The pools meet the highest standards. The sweeping roof, held up without pillars over the pools, is a marvel of engineering as well as a thing of beauty. It gives the hall a sense of flight. Since the games, the centre has opened its doors to the public, who can swim in the same pools as the champions. This was part of the plan from the start. It also hosts major swimming and diving contests, drawing crowds and athletes to the park. It remains a stage for top sport. Lessons, clubs and family sessions make use of the pools, so that the building serves the local community as well as elite sport. It is busy through the week. The centre stands in the great park created for the games, among other sporting venues and wide green spaces. The park is now a lively quarter. Striking from outside and grand within, the centre is admired as much for its architecture as for its sport. It is a landmark of the rebuilt district. It stands in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in the east of London. The flowing roof has made the building a favourite subject for photographers, who come to capture its sweeping lines. It is admired as a work of modern design as much as a place to swim.

Type: Stadium / Arena

Address: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, United Kingdom, E20 2ZQ

Website: https://www.londonaquaticscentre.org