Aquatics Centre In Pictures

Inside the Aquatics Centre

Designed by Iraq-born architect Zaha Hadid, the iconic wave-shaped Aquatics Centre will be the first thing most spectators see when they arrive at the Olympic Park. The centre features a striking state-of-the-art sweeping 160m roof that has a longer single span than the roof at Heathrow's Terminal 5.

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The venue

Underneath the staggering edifice are a 50m competition pool, 25m competition diving pool and a 50m warm-up pool. Former world record-holding swimmer Mark Foster laid the first of 180,000 pool tiles in September 2010 - two years after work started - while British diver Tom Daley opened the pool in July 2011 with one of the dives Team GB hopes will deliver gold in 2012.

Under construction

The state-of-the-art sweeping 160m long roof, which is made from steel and glass on the outside and 37,000 individual strips of treated hardwood within, has a longer single span than the roof at Heathrow's Terminal 5. Complications with the elaborate roof design and the complex heating system meant that the initial £73m budget for the Aquatics Centre - the fifth and final permanent venue to be completed - skyrocketed to £268m.

From an aerial perspective

Specialising in aerial photography since 1991, Jason Hawkes has produced over 40 aerial photographic books for the likes of the BBC, Random House and Harper Collins. Taking to the sky in a helicopter, he snapped these impressive photos of the Aquatics Centre. The Centre has a 2,500-seat permanent faculty, but will be able to house 17,500 spectators during the games. To do this, however, the eye-catching stingray-style structure has had to be flanked by two unsightly temporary stands that unfortunately diminish the Centre's architectural excellence.

Sporting events

Olympic Diving

The Aquatics Centre will host all Olympic and Paralympic swimming, diving and synchronised swimming events, as well as the modern pentathlon.

Olympic Events

29th July - 12th August

Swimming

50m freestyle
100m freestyle
200m freestyle
400m freestyle
800m freestyle
100m backstroke
200m backstroke
100m breaststroke
200m breaststroke
100m butterfly
200m butterfly
200m individual medley
400m individual medley
4x100m freestyle relay
4x200m freestyle relay
4x100m medley relay

Diving

3m springboard
10m platform
Synchronised 3m springboard
Synchronised 10m platform

Synchronised Swimming

Duets
Teams

Modern Pentathlon

Paralympic Events

30th August - 8th September

Swimming

50m freestyle
100m freestyle
200m freestyle
400m freestyle
50m backstroke
100m backstroke
50m breaststroke
100m breaststroke
50m butterfly
100m butterfly
150m individual medley
200m individual medley
4x100m medley relay

Nearby

Westfield Stratford Centre

The Aquatics Centre is located within the Olympic Park, Stratford. Even though the park isn't located within central London, there are numerous shops, restaurants and entertainment venues nearby:

Westfield Stratford City Shopping Centre

10 minute walk
This 1.9 million square foot shopping mall has been billed as the 'gateway' to London's Olympic Park. With 300 high street shops, 50 or so restaurants, a 14-screen cinema, a bowling alley and the UK's largest casino, it's an impressive entertainment venue that's located just minutes away from the Olympic Park.

Restaurants

Forman's Fish Island

7 minute walk
Best of British menu devised by Lloyd Hardwick

Bistrotheque

Bethnal Green - 2 tube stops from Stratford, via the Central line
Minimalist warehouse chic restaurant with a great brunch menu

King Eddie's

20 minute walk
An east-end style gastropub with a traditional and affordable menu

Nightlife/Pubs

The Britannia

24 minute walk
Large pub garden, jukebox and laidback atmosphere

Pub on the Park

London Fields station - 1 stop from Stratford, via National Rail
Large garden and extensive beer menu, with traditional bitters and run-of-the-mill lagers

Shopping

Roman Road Market

Mile End Tube - 1 stop from Stratford, via London Overground
Situated on the oldest known trade route in Britain, this market offers crafts, antiques, food, clothing and more

Hackney PictureHouse

Hackney Central - 1 stop from Stratford, via London Overground
Seven-screen cinema with three bars - including Hackney Attic which hosts music and comedy evenings

Theatre Royal Stratford East

18 minute walk
450-seat theatre that showcases new writing and ethnically diverse plays

Leisure

The Greenway

7 minute walk
A flat, almost continuous and straight traffic-free walking and cycling route that carves through East London at a high level

All Star Lanes

10 minute walk
Bowling alley located within Westfield Stratford Centre

Victoria Park

Mile End Tube - 1 stop from Stratford, via the Central Line
The city's first public park boasts picturesque lakes and an Old English Garden

Travel

There are numerous options when travelling to the Aquatics Centre. Driving is not advised due to high levels of traffic and restricted parking - limited, pre-booked parking will be available for disabled spectators. Public transport options include:

Javelin Train

Delivering passengers from St Pancras to Stratford International in just seven minutes, the Olympic Javelin high-speed train shuttle service will take up to an estimated 25,000 travellers per hour.

Overground Stations

National Rail, Docklands Light Railway and London Overground will run trains to the following stations:

London Underground

Stratford - Jubilee and Central Lines
West Ham - District, Hammersmith & City, and Jubilee Lines

Walking and Cycling

Greenway walking and cycling routes will connect the Olympic Park with numerous locations - including Victoria Path, Lee Valley North and Epping Forest. The walking routes are step free and there will be free cycle parking provided at the Eton Manor Transport Hub, Greenway Transport Hub and Victoria Park