Olympic pools

Competition dimensions

An Olympic pool is 50 metres long; a short-course pool is 25 metres. Lane count, lane width and depth follow competition standards. Tolerances are tight, so the design stage matters far more here than in an ordinary garden pool.

Overflow channel and balance tank

Pools at this scale usually run as overflow pools: water spills into the perimeter channel, flows to a balance tank, passes through filtration and is returned to the pool. The tank volume and channel level determine whether the water line stays steady under swimmer load.

Filtration capacity

The whole body of water has to pass through the filter within a set period. Pump flow, filter surface and pipe diameters are calculated from pool volume; undersize that calculation and water clarity becomes a permanent problem.

Space and ground

A pool this size is planned together with its circulation space and plant room. A ground survey is mandatory: the reinforcement cannot be resolved without calculating shell load and water load together.

Sequence

Once dimensions, depth and lane layout are settled, the order runs: design, excavation, reinforcement and formwork, concrete shell, waterproofing, lining and commissioning. The schedule is long compared with a garden pool.