Olympic swimming pool size: all you need to know

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Olympic swimming pools are the gold standard for competition swimming. From the Olympic Games (their namesake) to local, regional and national championships, swimmers train to perform over the 50-metre length of an Olympic swimming pool.

When you build an Olympic swimming pool, what are the rules and regulations to be aware of and how can you make sure to include all the elements that will ensure your pool is the best aquatic environment for your end users?

In this quick guide, we will cover:

The key rules and regulations around Olympic swimming pools
Size restrictions and requirements
Essential design aspects to include in your Olympic pool
How to ensure optimal water treatment

Olympic swimming pool: key rules

The main regulatory body concerned with the size and specific features of competition pools is the International Swimming Federation, FINA. They set all the necessary rules to ensure a uniform approach to international competition, which are then adopted at below international level as well.

FINA governs not only international swimming competitions or meets, but also other aquatic sports, such as diving, water polo, open water swimming or artistic and synchronized swimming. It is the FINA Facilities Committee that stipulates how to create the best environment for all these activities – and these are the FINA Facilities Rules.

While FINA Facilities Rules don’t dictate what raw materials or products to use when building an Olympic-size swimming pool, they set rules around the geometry, size and dimensional tolerances, distribution of elements, colour of pool equipment etc.

Size regulations for Olympic swimming pools

Pool length

The length of an Olympic pool must be exactly 50 metres. If there are automatic officiating equipment touch panels at the starting end (or also at the turning end), then the length must ensure the required distance between the two panels is still 50 metres.

Dimensional tolerances

The dimensional tolerances allowed for Olympic swimming pools are +0.010, -0.000 metres when touch panels are used. Tolerances must be measured as follows:

For swimming pools with touch panels on both ends, the distance between walls must be minimum 50.020 metres and maximum 50.030 metres;
Tolerances must be consistent between 0.300 metres above and 0.800 metres below the water surface.

Depth

FINA states that an Olympic swimming pool with starting blocks must have a minimum depth of 1.35 metres extending from the first metre to 6.0 metres from the end wall. For the rest of the pool, a minimum depth of 1.0 metre is required.

Walls

The end walls must be vertical, parallel, and form 90-degree right angles with the swimming lanes and water surface. They must be made from a solid material with a non-slip finish extending 0.8 metres below the water surface to allow the swimmer to touch and push off safely when turning.

The FINA Facilities Rules impose that these measurements be certified by a surveyor or other qualified official, appointed or approved by the Member of the Swimming Federation in the country where the pool is located.

Following Fluidra’s experience of engaging in FINA certification processes for multiple swimming pools, our recommendation is to use a construction system based on prefabricated modular steel panels with a regulation system (such as SKYPOOL technology). This allows the fine adjustment of the structure to ensure compliance with the tolerance requirements set out by FINA.

Olympic design aspects to consider

There are also other competition accessories that must comply with FINA regulations in order to host official competitions. Here we outline all you need to know.

Lanes

Lanes must be at least 2.5 metres wide, with two gaps of at least 0.2 metres on the outside of the first and last lanes.

Lane ropes

The main role of lane ropes is to separate swimming lanes, followed by reducing waves in the pool. In an 8-lane pool, lane ropes should stretch across the entire length of the course and components for wave reduction (such as the tension spring and take-up reel) should measure no more than 200 mm at each lane rope end.

Starting platforms

Starting platforms must be rigid with no spring. They must be positioned between 0.5 and 0.75 metres in height above the water surface, measure at least 0.5 x 0.5 metres in surface area, and be coated in a non-slip material. In swimming pools with starting platforms, there must be a minimum depth of 1.35 metres in the area extending from the first metre to at least 6.0 metres from the starting wall.

Numbering, turn indicators, and other accessories

Each starting platform must be clearly numbered on all four sides in a clearly visible manner. For backstroke turn indicators, flagged ropes shall be hung along the length of the pool 5.0 metres from each end wall. Additionally, false start ropes must be provided in order to warn athletes of an incorrect race start.

Water conditions

The temperature of water in Olympic pools must be between 25°C and 28°C, keeping a constant level throughout the competition without noticeable swings. In order to maintain the water level, preserve water transparency and take into account the health regulations in force in most countries, water inlets and outlets should be regulated between 220 to 250 m3/h for 50-metre pools. Moreover, FINA limits water salinity to less than 3 gr/litre of salt for pools that wish to register World Records and Junior World Records.

Lane markings

Their minimum width should be 0.2 metres and the maximum 0.3 metres. They must be 46.0 metres long for 50-metre-long pools. Lane lines must end 2.0 metres from the end wall, with a 1.0-metre-long cross line the same width as the lane line.

Space optimization accessories

In addition to the competition related accessories above, there are a few extras that can be included to optimize the use of space.

Movable bulkheads allow the pool to be split into different areas and sizes for independent and simultaneous uses. When a bulkhead is used as an end wall, it must stretch the entire pool width and present a solid smooth vertical surface that is both stable and non-slip in order to install touch panels stretching at least 0.8 m below and 0.3 m above the water surface. There must be no precarious gaps above or below the water line that a swimmer’s hands, feet, toes, or fingers could go through. Bulkheads must be designed to allow officials to move freely along the pool length without creating any noticeable current or turbulence inside the water.

Another accessory for pool space optimization is the movable floor, which allows the pool depth to be changed in order to suit the different depth requirements of multiple sport activities.

Water treatment for Olympic swimming pools

Saltwater pools are one of the most attractive trends in aquatic installations across the world, as they create sanitized pools without the use of chlorine products. Instead, they use saline chlorination products to guarantee water hygiene.

An efficient system of this kind for all types of public pools is Freepool2 – a water treatment solution that offers optimal air and water quality and guarantees health, security and comfort for pool users. This is an innovative solution that incorporates three water treatment technologies in a single product, optimising sanitation and pH control in the most natural and efficient way possible by using Neolysis:

Low salinity salt electrolysis for water sanitation
Mid-pressure ultraviolet to reduce combined chloramines
High-efficiency CO2 injections for pH regulation

On the other hand, for temporary pools in competition events we recommend the Nefrona solution.

The Nefrona water treatment solution is a compact and transportable plug-and-play concept developed by AstralPool, especially designed for temporary events. Nefrona includes disinfection, filtration and pumps for the recirculation system in the same monobloc, obtaining excellent water quality. This filtering unit is mounted on a hot-dipped galvanized steel bed plate to prevent corrosion. Also, all models can be supplied with heating and microfiltration using diatomaceous earth.

Conclusion

To build an Olympic swimming pool for competition, strict FINA rules and regulations must be adhered to. These go far beyond simple length stipulations, and pool builders need to be careful to ensure they have also met all the requirements in the country where the competition will take place.

With this guide, you now have a quick and easy to follow checklist covering all requirements for an Olympic swimming pool, from dimensions to accessories and water treatment.