Australian swimming has been set up for Olympic success “for the next 50 years” with confirmation the Centenary Pool in Brisbane would be transformed into the National Aquatics Centre for the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.
The upgraded venue, which will have a capacity to hold 25,000 people, will become the home of Australia’s water sports and host swimming, diving and water polo at the Games.
“The centre will see a number of Olympic and Paralympic sports move their headquarters up to Brisbane, permanently, a real world-class legacy which will serve these sports for decades to come,” Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said in confirming the plan.
“It will be constructed at Centenary Pool, and that has the backing of diving, artistic swimming, water polo and Swimming Australia.
“That’s delivering a legacy for the future, and I confirm it will be the best aquatic centre in the globe.”
Swimming Australia chief executive Rob Woodhouse said the new centre was “the most significant investment ever in aquatic sports in Australia”.
BIG BRISBANE 2032 STADIUM CALL MADE, ‘BEST IN WORLD’ SWIMMING SURPRISE AS GABBA GONE
“As well as the critically important community and health benefits for all Australians, the NAC will set our aquatic sports up for ongoing success for the next 50 years beyond the 2032 Games,” he said.
“Our magnificent Paralympians and Olympians will inspire us all through their achievements at the NAC in 2032 and for decades after. Thank you to the Queensland government for understanding the real legacy the NAC will provide for all Australians.”
The new centre will include:
• Three new pools, including two large indoor pools (50m and 65m) that would act as a national base to support multiple aquatic sports;
one indoor dive tower;
• One new outdoor pool with functionality to support multiple aquatic sports;
• One 27m outdoor tower for both diving and high diving;
• Separate high performance and community gyms and amenities, including a dedicated diving dry land
• Permanent seating capacity of 8800 and more than 25,000 in Games mode.
Swimming alone produced 18 medals, including seven gold, for Australia at the 2024 Games in Paris.
Cam McEvoy, a four-time Olympian who broke through for his first gold in Paris, said the new centre would “ignite the Olympic and Paralympic flame for the next generation of athletes”.
“Not only that but it will be a venue that has the capacity to produce those dreams, as it will be decked out in state-of-the-art high performance technology for each sport to use and train alongside each other,” he said.
“I can’t think of any other place to have something like this than in South East Queensland. If South East Queensland was a country, we would have finished equal third on the swimming medal tally at the Paris Olympic Games.
“The NAC only stands to solidify this level of achievement for future generations to come.”
Discussion about this post