The Venue
Designed in 2004 by Zaha Hadid Architects, the Aquatics Centre in London was inspired by the fluid geometry of water in motion. Read on to learn more about the venue for the British Gas Swimming Championships 2012 (Selection Trials).
| CLICK HERE FOR A SPECTATOR GUIDE AND WALKING ROUTE TO THE VENUE |
Commissioned by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), the breathtaking Aquatics Centre is designed to be "...in sympathy with the river landscape of the Olympic Park".
With an undulating roof that sweeps from the ground like a wave, in Olympic Mode it will seat 17,500 people at capacity and have a footprint area of a jaw dropping 21,897m².
Even in Legacy Mode it can seat 2,500 and has a footprint area of 15,950m². So, whenever you visit you can be assured an unforgettable experience.
Get Directions To The Aquatics Centre on Google Maps
Useful?
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Talk
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9.47am 6th March 2012
Katie TomlynHi,
You can use your camera/video cameras in the venue but you can’t use the flash.
DSLR,SLR’s,compacts,camera phones, etc are all fine as long as used without the flash (the lighting is good in the venue).
There is a small bar at the venue selling water,soft drinks,hot drinks and some largers. It also has a range of snacks.
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7.35pm 4th March 2012
Richard from winchesterBased on this morning (Sunday), I took my DSLR and 300mm lens in without an issue. I saw plenty of other DSLR cameras in attendance. I guess in the end unless you’re trying to bring in masses of equipment, you’ll be ok
I did see someone arrive with a bag from ‘Eat’ and come in to the arena. We had water bottes etc and were ok
They do have airport-like xray machines but other that that nothing heavy. No really refreshments in sight once in the venue but across the road in Westfield shopping centre there aer loads of places to eat.
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17
10.39pm 3rd March 2012
victor simms from LondonCould we have a link to the box office in case there are still seats available for the trials.
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9.01am 3rd March 2012
Richard from winchesterI got an answer back from the Events team - they sent me a document for Sheffield 2010, that mostly worries about the rise of the cameraphone. I don’t think they have any guidance.
I imagine you need to register your intention to take pictures somewhere inside - like a normal swim-meet but who knows.I hope they take notice and make it clearer for the next event. I’d be happy if they said no cameras or compact only, just so I knew that I wouldn’t have my DSLR confiscated by security.
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11.34am 2nd March 2012
David Woolf from PeterboroughLooking at your advice re articles that can to be brought in to the championships, it says a small picnic is allowed. As we are a family that would be sensible for the eve session. A friend who went to the diving however had his water bottle binned by security. Have I missed something or are fluids not allowed? We have a long day ahead!
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9.58pm 1st March 2012
Alex from PlymouthSecond that Richard from Winchester - I too would like to photograph my daughter swimming but don’t wish to be refused entry or have my photography gear confiscated.
After much digging around on the London Prepares website I did find some small print about prohibited items for the London Prepares events at the Olympic venues - “Large photography equipment including tripods are prohibited”. How large ?!? How small ?!?
Can anyone please clarify the photographic rules please ? Particularly what is or isn’t allowed in ?
Thanks
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7.16pm 1st March 2012
Richard from winchesterDespite emailing in 3 times now I still don’t have an answer: what are the photography rules for the championships. I want to take pics of my nephew taking part in the trials and I don’t want my camera confiscated!
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10.55am 1st March 2012
Barry WadeHi Anya, yes a buggy is fine. There is a buggy store on-site.
Barry Wade
British Swimming Web Manager -
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10.40am 1st March 2012
Barry WadeHi, for those asking for finish times of finals, Friday will be approx 20:45. But allow flexibility. We would recommend planning for leaving venue around 21:30 for finals even if it is earlier than this. For heats sessions are planned to finish at different points each day. The latest is 11.15am on Saturday 3 March. We recommend planning to finish by 11.00am on the other days.
Barry Wade
British Swimming Web Manager -
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9.46am 1st March 2012
Richard from St AlbansWhat time do the sessions finish, specifically the Friday evening session?
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9.22am 1st March 2012
Anya from HertfordshireHi
Still no information on whether I can bring a buggy??? I have followed the links and there is nothing about buggies even though I have bought a family ticket. Please can you let me know. Thanks -
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9.08pm 29th February 2012
Sarah from N E LincsHi
I have followed the links and can’t find any finish times for heats only finals? Please advise -
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4.27pm 29th February 2012
Barry WadeHi All, for information on access and travelling to the event click here: http://www.swimming.org/britishswimming/2012trials/spectators/
Sarah, all information on the schedule can be found under tickets and schedule here: http://www.swimming.org/britishswimming/2012trials/tickets/
Barry Wade
British Swimming Web Manager -
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3.33pm 28th February 2012
Sarah from between Newark and NottinghamWhat time is each session expected to finish? We are meeting relatives after Sunday 4 March a.m. heats session, and have to plan our train journey back after Friday 9 March finals session. I’m sure I saw this info somewhere but your website, although informative, is a little cumbersome to navigate.
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7.34pm 26th February 2012
David Rickwood from OkehamptonWe are a club travelling from Devon an bringing two coaches, despite several calls we have beeen unable to get any satisifactory guidance on drop off points. I think its unrealistic to expect young children who have never been to London to travel on the underground. Indeed the safety advice we have reveid is that the coach is the best way of keeping young children together. The addtional cost is also an issue (circa £400 ) in our case which is uncessary having already chartered a coach.
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4.09pm 23rd February 2012
Anya Gray from HertfrdshireAre we allowed to bring a pushchair in?
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3.16pm 23rd February 2012
Sheila from WelwynWhere is the best place for Blue Badge holders to Park ? He can only walk short distances what are the facilities and how far to arena ?
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10.20pm 17th February 2012
Chris CottrellHi Sarah. There’s no parking at the venue unfortunately so best idea is to park at a station and get public transport in. Our Spectator Guide has further details here (http://www.swimming.org/britishswimming/2012trials/spectators/)
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9.55pm 17th February 2012
Sarah from AshbourneWhere’s the best place to park ?
