333 replies to this topic

[daveypodmore]

Those pics make you realise how amazing Londons Aquatics Centre is. Apparently the finish of the Beijing Aquatics Centre was awful.

[Athensfan]

OneTimeOnly, on 30 July 2011 - 09:50 AM, said:

Huh??? I'm a registered member of USMS and swim with a local masters team.

I'm just kidding you. Obviously you know your stuff.

I grew up as a swimmer -- actually fly was my specialty.

[Troupe]

OneTimeOnly, on 31 July 2011 - 10:21 AM, said:

Barcelona was a last minute replacement for 2013 so they are going to be uncovered again too, I believe, but there shouldn't be any more.

No, they will install a temporary pool at the Palau Sant Jordi, like in 2003, for swimming and synchro.

[kevzz]

Troupe, on 31 July 2011 - 12:46 PM, said:

No, they will install a temporary pool at the Palau Sant Jordi, like in 2003, for swimming and synchro.

I'm not sure if this kind of 'stadium' arena type seating is suitable for an aquatics venue. In shanghai and the last fina championship where they converted the rod laver arena in melbourne into a pool. Yes you have an all-around atmosphere surrounding the pool, but it does feel quite shallow and the crowd are scattered all around.

Whereas the 2 grandstands on each side of Londons aquatics focus the energy of the crowd to both sides of the pool, which add more drama and intensity to the venue.

What do you think is the ideal seating layout for an Olympic pool venue?

[OneTimeOnly]

kevzz, on 31 July 2011 - 02:07 PM, said:

I'm not sure if this kind of 'stadium' arena type seating is suitable for an aquatics venue. In shanghai and the last fina championship where they converted the rod laver arena in melbourne into a pool. Yes you have an all-around atmosphere surrounding the pool, but it does feel quite shallow and the crowd are scattered all around.

Whereas the 2 grandstands on each side of Londons aquatics focus the energy of the crowd to both sides of the pool, which add more drama and intensity to the venue.

What do you think is the ideal seating layout for an Olympic pool venue?

I agree with you kevzz. Just finished watching FINA Worlds and I didn't care for the temp pool in the cavernous sports arena. The Water Cube was huge but MADE For swimming.

[OneTimeOnly]

Athensfan, on 31 July 2011 - 11:22 AM, said:

I'm just kidding you. Obviously you know your stuff.

I grew up as a swimmer -- actually fly was my specialty.

Fly is my most admired stroke. Very cool stroke that's fun to do - when you don't start DYING ~12 meters (long course) from the wall (like I always do ) Most difficult and strenuous stroke, lots of upper body strength and core. I love beautiful freestyle form, however. Did you see Sun Yang set a new WR in the 1500m free this morning/tonight in Shanghai? He seemed to effortlessly glide through the water. Looked really nice.

[Brekkie Boy]

kevzz, on 31 July 2011 - 02:07 PM, said:

I'm not sure if this kind of 'stadium' arena type seating is suitable for an aquatics venue. In shanghai and the last fina championship where they converted the rod laver arena in melbourne into a pool. Yes you have an all-around atmosphere surrounding the pool, but it does feel quite shallow and the crowd are scattered all around.

Whereas the 2 grandstands on each side of Londons aquatics focus the energy of the crowd to both sides of the pool, which add more drama and intensity to the venue.

What do you think is the ideal seating layout for an Olympic pool venue?

Obviously you can't have seating behind the diving pool but it does seem most Aquatics Centres don't opt for seating at the top end of the pool - certainly in London's case it would surely be better there (basically on that platform where the media were) than up in the attic. Back in Manchester too IIRC they put temporary seating over the Diving Pool for the swimming, though I think then the diving took place first followed by the swimming. I doubt it would be so easy with the diving following the swimming as I suspect they'd need to clean the pool etc. once the seating above it is removed.

[adrianme17]

baron-pierreIV, on 28 July 2011 - 03:43 PM, said:

It's a LOUSY, awkward venue...which I knew would be a dud from the start. You need a light, airy cover for a natatorium, not some dark, low-slung, nihilistic roof. Ms. Zahid should've taken off her burkha while designing the venue; it could've been a bit better.

But hey, with Kapoor's Tower and Zahid's whale tongue-dark mother belly Aquatic Center, ODA fulfilled its design diversity quota and the "ex-colonized" peoples of the British Empire got back a little of their own with their "retro" contributions to Olympic Park. The forces of PC win this one.

Seriously - stop being so fucking offensive - there is no need for that tone - you really haven't got a clue - even if you are joking!

I was at the aquatics centre last Wednesday - I've seen it and been in there and it is nit a lousy awkward venue & it's actually quite light & airy - oh **** it can't be bothered

[adrianme17]

daveypodmore, on 29 July 2011 - 02:47 PM, said:

As a Brit I feel immensely proud of what LOCOG have achieved. I probably do look at some of the decisions with rose tinted specs too but, we want these games to be loved and enjoyed around the world. Buildings the worlds over are considered masterpieces but they all have problems. On a day when Jaques Rogge, competitors that have actually been in it and the media heap the Aquatics Centre with praise, then folks come on here and say its bad, rubbish or ****, it puts people on the defensive.

People do seem to critisise London in a way they dont other hosts. People say they have made blunders, again and again saying its a **** logo. People everytime the mascots mentioned comment they scare children, again and again making the same comments. Ive seen Mickey Mouse scare children in Disneyland to be fair. One of the first comments I read about the medals on here was Complete Disaster, when to be fair they are nothing of the sort.

As a LOCOG fan and as a Brit I take a lot of the comments to heart, something Im slowly learning not to do. People have the right to make comments, good or bad, just sometimes it feels relentless, and that LOCOG can do no right. If its a radical design its critisised, if its a safe design, its critisised.

The Olympics should be a celebration, Im learning that this forum although a great place to discuss the games, learn things and speculate are also gonna be a place where people will complain and rant and thats he way it should be. Its just when you are so proud of what your country has achieved it is sometimes hard to read.

Well thats my rant, back to the Aquatics Centre

Nicely summed up Davey - been away and this really has kicked off! A pity as was in the blooming thing last week & it's awkward outside but fecking great inside - a lovely building with a great finish. It will do the athletes (& future local swimmers) proud!

[Citizen-Seth]

daveypodmore, on 29 July 2011 - 02:47 PM, said:

As a Brit I feel immensely proud of what LOCOG have achieved. I probably do look at some of the decisions with rose tinted specs too but, we want these games to be loved and enjoyed around the world. Buildings the worlds over are considered masterpieces but they all have problems. On a day when Jaques Rogge, competitors that have actually been in it and the media heap the Aquatics Centre with praise, then folks come on here and say its bad, rubbish or ****, it puts people on the defensive.

People do seem to critisise London in a way they dont other hosts. People say they have made blunders, again and again saying its a **** logo. People everytime the mascots mentioned comment they scare children, again and again making the same comments. Ive seen Mickey Mouse scare children in Disneyland to be fair. One of the first comments I read about the medals on here was Complete Disaster, when to be fair they are nothing of the sort.

As a LOCOG fan and as a Brit I take a lot of the comments to heart, something Im slowly learning not to do. People have the right to make comments, good or bad, just sometimes it feels relentless, and that LOCOG can do no right. If its a radical design its critisised, if its a safe design, its critisised.

The Olympics should be a celebration, Im learning that this forum although a great place to discuss the games, learn things and speculate are also gonna be a place where people will complain and rant and thats he way it should be. Its just when you are so proud of what your country has achieved it is sometimes hard to read.

Well thats my rant, back to the Aquatics Centre

I think ferocity of the criticism stems from the simple fact that there is so little to actually criticize. It's been widely acknowledged that LOCOG is the most competent OCOG in Olympic history, so it seems to make sense that the fewer chances you give you critics to air their grievances, the more potent each one becomes.