Brazil’s Globo.com reports that the Brazilian Olympic synchronized swimming team is training in the newly-renovated Maria Lenk Aquatic Center, confirmation that the Olympic venue is up and running after an extended closure.
Maria Lenk is one of Brazil’s signature aquatic hosting sites, originally built to host the 2007 Pan American Games. The famous venue will host the Olympic synchronized swimming and diving competitions in 2016, and underwent renovations to prepare for that event.
Those renovations kept the pool closed for much of 2015, though there never appeared to be a time crunch in getting the construction done before the Olympic Games began. In fact, Brazil’s swimming federation, the CBDA, was considering hosting last year’s Brazilian nationals (the Maria Lenk Trophy, not to be confused with the pool itself though both are named after the legendary Brazilian swimmer Maria Lenk) in the Maria Lenk Aquatic Center. Though the CBDA ultimately went with the safe route, hosting the Trophy at Fluminense, the Maria Lenk Trophy took place all the way back in April of 2015.
It seems likely the renovations have been complete for some time, but Globo.com’s report officially confirms that and removes any concern about the synchronized swimming and diving venue being complete on time.
The Olympic Aquatics Stadium, which will host the pool swimming events, is slated to be complete within the next few months, and if all goes well, will host this year’s Maria Lenk Trophy, which is also Brazil’s final Olympic selection meet.