Tokyo 2020 organizers unveiled the inside of the Tokyo Aquatics Center, site for the swimming, diving, artistic swimming and several Para Swimming events at next year’s Summer Olympic Games.
Located in Tatsumi Seaside Park in Koto Ward, the Aquatics Center’s construction was considered 75% complete in August and 90% complete as of October of this year. The goal completion month is February of 2020.
The estimated cost of the more than 700,000 square foot facility hovers around ¥56.7 billion, which converts to approximately $500 million USD. The space will accommodate 15,000 seats of which 60% have already been installed. More than 1% of the seating areas will be reserved for people in wheelchairs in accordance with disability guidelines, reports The Japan Times.
“The Tokyo Aquatics Centre will become a world-class facility for swimming and diving events,” said Tomofumi Kusano, senior director for venues. “Even after the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we hope to maintain that reputation.”
What remains to be completed on the Aquatic Center includes the interior and exterior roof, as well as some office equipment for inside the building, per Daishu Tone, venue director for the Aquatics Centre.
The pool is the standard size for Olympic competitions at 50 meters long, 25 meters wide and 3 meters deep. But the depth and length can be altered via an adjustable bottom and divider. The 10-meter diving tower is also complete. (The Japan Times)
Below are photos and video posted on Twitter by AP reporter Stephen Wade:
ICYMI: Bathed in Blue on a perfect fall day: Outside the $530 million Tokyo Olympic swim venue. pic.twitter.com/4TqTWMMh48
— Stephen Wade (@StephenWadeAP) November 21, 2019
Associated Press gets an exclusively look at Tokyo’s Olympic pool. Uhhh, exclusive with hundreds of others. 🙂 Venue price: $530 million. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/HyVjUnhnpI
— Stephen Wade (@StephenWadeAP) November 21, 2019
ICYMI: Inside Tokyo’s Olympic swim venue. Seats 15,000. Cost is $530 million. Complete in February. Diving pool at far end. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/sNy1hJLUrw
— Stephen Wade (@StephenWadeAP) November 21, 2019
great post
Looks like any other Olympic (or otherwise used for large international events) aquatics center in recent years.
Which is fine. We don’t want a ceiling disaster like in Beijing just to put a twist on things aesthetically.
Here’s to hoping they actually have built in working air conditioning this time….
Is $500 million the most expensive swimming facility ever? Because that’s some serious money. There are plenty of NBA stadiums that cost less.
It has to be. Even the Chi Health Center in Omaha was only $400 million in 2018 dollars.
Worth every penny!!!
I guess this is due to Japan’s earthquake history. Infrastructure as big as this has to be planned and executed perfectly.
I imagine the Zaha Hadid London Aquatic Centre cost about the same…..it cost 270,000 Million Pounds nearly 10 years ago..
It’s close, but comes out to just over $400 million in 2018 dollars.
so sick
Really nice but…. good luck getting tickets for family, even if you make the team.
Yeah I wondered how that worked . I heard $1000 for one heat ticket
Who’s HYPED????