Paris Olympics Pool Depth Frustrates Swimmers

The 2024 Paris Olympics has seen no new swimming records, with athletes struggling to match personal bests. The primary issue is the depth of the pool at La Défense Arena, which at 2.15 meters is below World Aquatics' recommended minimum of 2.5 meters and the ideal 3 meters for record-setting conditions. The shallower depth causes increased water turbulence, making it harder for swimmers to achieve faster times. This has led to widespread frustration among competitors, who describe the conditions as akin to swimming in rough seas. Despite the speculation, there have been no formal complaints from athletes, although some have had to modify their techniques to adapt to the conditions. The altered pool dimensions are a result of the temporary nature of the venue, which was originally a rugby stadium.