Like most of the other venues for the Summer Olympics in 2020, the Tokyo Aquatics Center was constructed specifically for those games. Japanese officials have stated that once the Olympics are completed, the swimming pool will hold national and international meets. Now, here’s the lowdown:
What is the Total Number of Lanes?
The facility has a main pool with ten lanes, a training pool, and a diving pool. The outer two lanes are not used at all during races; only the inside eight. Those are the waters where the swimming, diving, and artistic swimming competitions take place. The Paralympic swimming competitions are scheduled to take place there next month.
How Big is The Pool, Exactly?
The length of the main pool is 50 metres (164 feet), while its width is 25 metres (82 feet). And it’s a full 3 metres (9.8 feet) down. Both the main pool and the pre-pool have adjustable depths and moveable flooring and walls.
Can You Tell Me How Hot The Water is?
The temperature is maintained in a comfortable range of 77 to 82.4 degrees Fahrenheit (25 to 28 degrees Celsius).
Could You Tell Me if There Was a Lifeguard on Duty?
True, lifeguards keep a sharp eye out for swimmers who could need help from things like injuries and cramping. They are available for other competitions as well: Physical contact is common in water polo games, artistic swimming has a history of concussions, and divers jump from great heights.
For What Purpose Do Air Horns Sound During The Races?
When the swimmers are in their last lap, the air horns go out to signal the end of the race.
Conclusion
The new swimming blocks feature a false-start detection mechanism, much to the ones used in track events. Swimmers, like sprinters in track, use individual acoustic start devices, or “horns,” to ensure that everyone in the pool hears the start signal at the same moment.
Track and field events at the 1948 Olympic Games in London were the first to employ starting blocks. During the 1936 Olympics, sprinters were required to use garden trowels to dig their own starting markers. The introduction of starting blocks in 1948 basically levelled the playing field for all runners.
