logo
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
Turbulance made  Olympic pool slow
News
August 14, 2024
Turbulance made Olympic pool slow

Controversy surrounded the Olympic Pool in the Paris La Défense Arena, with critics saying the pool is “slow.”

Every four years, Olympic athletes compete to medal in their sports, a dream surpassed only by setting a new world record. This year was no different, but only a few world records were broken in Paris’s Olympic pool this summer.

Worse still, the Olympians weren’t even as fast as they normally are. Nicolò Martinenghi, the winner of the men’s 100-meter breaststroke, only managed a time of 59.03 seconds (compared to his own personal best time of 55.63 seconds), and this year’s time is actually the slowest winning time in the breaststroke at an Olympic Game since 2004.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, only four world records were set in the various swimming events.

Compared to the 2016 Rio Olympics, where twice that many world records were set, some say the problem was the pool.

The main issue seems to be the pool’s depth. In Rio, the pool was 3 meters deep. Pools in Beijing 2008 (25 world records) and London 2012 (9 world records) were also 3 meters. The pool-depth standard for World Aquatics is between 2 and 3 meters, with 3 meters being preferred. At 2.15 meters, the Paris Olympic pool is comparatively shallow, and experts say that increases the turbulence that swimmers experience, which makes them a just a little slower.

Turbulence is the big factor, according to Gemma Fleming, a former world record holder who swam in two Olympics for Team Great Britain.

“The deeper the pool, the less turbulence there is between the bottom of the pool and the swimmer,” Flemming told reporters with National Public Radio. “More turbulence means more waves and makes being streamlined in the water harder.”

Built by the Italian firm Myrtha Pools, designers were able to save room for extra seats by making the aboveground pool a little less deep.

Swimmers have said they have no complaints about the pool. And, the arena was packed with fans for every event.

But when waves bounce off the bottom of a pool because of mass movement in shallow water, it typically affects swimmers’ times, which is pretty much what we saw this year.

Credit Myrtha Pools, Paris Olympics 2024.

LATEST NEWS
Pool Hot Tub Alliance takes to the Hill
News
Pool Hot Tub Alliance takes to the Hill
PHTA members, staff met with congressional leaders to discuss swimming pool related issues
May 31, 2025
By Marcelle Dibrell The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) hosted its third annual PHTA Day on the Hill this April as association members went to Washingt...
this is a test
News
Pool techs answer service pricing survey
May 31, 2025
With the summer solstice a couple weeks away and Memorial Day just past, it’s hard to argue that summertime hasn’t arrived, and that means that it’s t...
this is a test
LA pools overwhelmed by mosquitos
News
LA pools overwhelmed by mosquitos
May 31, 2025
Beleaguered residents of the recent catastrophic Los Angeles fires are facing a new public health crisis: Mosquitoes. It was a predictable outcome tha...
this is a test
Hotel pool heater sends 2 to hospital
News
Hotel pool heater sends 2 to hospital
May 31, 2025
A carbon monoxide incident in a Kansas hotel caused by a swimming pool heater sent two guests to the hospital. The DoubleTree by Hilton in Riley Count...
this is a test
BioLab Conyers, Georgia plant closes
News
BioLab Conyers, Georgia plant closes
May 31, 2025
The chlorine manufacturing plant that was responsible for last year’s massive chemical fire in Georgia will not be reopening. BioLab, owner of the Con...
this is a test
MONEY ON THE TABLE
News
DON’T LEAVE
MONEY ON THE TABLE
SIGN UP TODAY & GET THE RIGHT TOOLS
May 31, 2025
DON’T LEAVE SIGN UP TODAY & GET THE RIGHT TOOLS The Fluidra ServicePro rewards program is designed specifically for pool service companies and gives y...
this is a test
Read Our Newsletter
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Free Subscription
View Current Print Ads
Educational Announcements
Aquatic Training Institute

Educational Leverage

Foundation For Pool Industry Education

Locey Pool

Pool Chemistry Training Institute

Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

Portofino University

Underwater Pool Masters
Trade Show Dates
  • The International Pool Spa Patio Expo
    Nov. 12-14, Dallas, Texas
  • The Pool and Spa Show
    Jan. 28-30, Atlantic City, New Jersey
  • 35th Annual National Plasterers Conference
    Feb. 26-28, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
  • The Southwest Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 4-8, Houston, Texas
  • The Western Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 6-8, Long Beach, California
Books to Order
About Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy
We use cookies to ensure that our website gives you the best experience possible. By continuing to use this website, you agree to this use of cookies.OK