SINGAPORE, June 16, 2025
A Splash of Speed: New Arena Aims for Record-breaking Swims
The World Aquatics Championships (WCH) in Singapore is gearing up for a thrilling competition, and the newly constructed WCH Arena promises to deliver exceptional performances.
- The competition pool is designed to reduce water turbulence, possibly leading to faster times.
- the arena features a seating capacity of 4,800 and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
- Over 2,500 athletes from more than 190 countries will compete in the championships.
Are we in for a record-breaking swim meet? The WCH Arena, built near Kallang Tennis and Kallang Football Hubs, is designed to be a fast pool, potentially leading to more world records at the upcoming World Aquatics championships (WCH) from July 11 to August 3 in Singapore.
The main attraction of the purpose-built facility, constructed by Kin Productions, is the long-course pool. This will host the swimming (July 27-Aug 3) and artistic swimming (July 18-25) events. A warm-up pool with the same dimensions is in a separate block.
The competition pool measures 50m by 26m with a depth of three meters. It’s notably wider and deeper than the temporary pool used in the Paris Olympics at the La Defense Arena, which was one meter narrower and 2.15m deep.
The pool of the newly constructed WCH Arena in Kallang.
Mark Chay, co-chairperson of the WCH Singapore 2025 organizing commitee, explained that the pool’s design enhances speed. “Each athlete has more space in each lane that helps with the stability of the water and less turbulence. The Malmsten lane ropes also help with preventing the wake of the waves from interfering with the speed of other athletes,” he said. “The 3m pool means that athletes can go deeper to propel themselves faster, especially while underwater.”
Building a fast Pool
Foundation work for the WCH Arena began in December 2024, with construction running from January to May. Kin Productions chairman Ko chee Wah highlighted the challenges of the tight schedule and weather. He stated that the project “required innovation and collaboration with technical experts and key stakeholders at World Aquatics and Sport Singapore, and execution.”
The arena has a seating capacity of 4,800, creating a compact feel. This is about one-third the size of temporary facilities used for recent world championships.For instance,the 2024 edition in Doha,Qatar,utilized the 15,500-capacity aspire Dome.
The WCH Arena has a seating capacity of 4,800.
Singapore’s WCH Arena will have red seats and red OSB11 starting blocks identical to those used at Paris 2024, designed for optimal propulsion. The seats are positioned at a 32-degree angle for enhanced viewing, a contrast to the typical 17-degree angle used at other local events. Four 14m by 3m screens above the seating, along with a 29m by 3m screen on the south wall, will show results and replays, while 46m by 1m screens will display sponsor logos.
Singtel will be the official network connectivity provider for WCH 2025, delivering 5G+ infrastructure and network slicing technology. The venue will also feature a fan zone with interactive activities, merchandise areas, and food and beverage stalls.
During a tour on June 16, organizers announced that some finals sessions for swimming and diving are sold out.In 2024, Alan Goh, co-chairperson of the 2025 World Aquatics Championships organizing committee and chief executive officer of Sport Singapore, mentioned various factors considered when selecting the venue. The National Stadium was initially considered,but the decision was made to build a temporary facility in Carpark G.
The WCH Arena’s swimming pool uses the same starting blocks as the Paris Olympics.
Over 2,500 athletes from more than 190 countries and territories will compete in the six aquatic disciplines at the world championships. Water polo and diving will be held at the OCBC Aquatic Center, while Sentosa will host open-water swimming (Palawan Beach) and high diving (Palawan Green).
The South-east Asia Age Group Aquatics Championships (June 19-29),a youth competition with over 500 athletes,will serve as a test event for the WCH. The first competitions at the WCH Arena will be for artistic swimming (June 20-22) and swimming (June 25-27), while water polo (June 19-22) and diving (June 27-29) will occur at the OCBC Aquatic Centre.
Predicting teh Fastest Races at WCH 2025
Given the arena’s design, several swimming events are likely to witness record-breaking performances at the World Aquatics championships (WCH). The cutting-edge features of the WCH arena, detailed earlier, suggest a fast pool, potentially leading to new world records. Swimmers have the chance to excel with the pool’s innovative design, including reduced water turbulence and deeper water for enhanced underwater propulsion.
Considering the factors that contribute to faster swim times, sprint events could be particularly exciting. Events like the 50m and 100m freestyle,requiring explosive power and start efficiency,stand out. The enhanced starting blocks, identical to those used in Paris 2024, offer an extra advantage. Also, the new pool design could offer a slight edge in the 100m butterfly and backstroke events, where underwater phases are critical.
Did you know?– Swimmers expend a lot of energy in the first 15 meters of each race! The starting blocks can make or break a race for a swimmer.
Distance events might also benefit from the improvements. In the 200m to 800m races, the design’s lessened turbulence could support more consistent speeds. The impact of these technological advancements will be apparent with the overall speed being higher than in Doha, Qatar, in 2024, where less advanced settings and tools were used.
Which events are most likely to see records broken? The 50m freestyle, given its reliance on explosive power, is a strong contender.the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly, where underwater work is crucial, also hold potential. The 200m individual medley, testing all four strokes, might also provide a surprise.
Pro Tip– Keep an eye on the 50m freestyle events specifically! These races are often the quickest and most prone to world-record attempts.
The enhanced viewing angles and cutting-edge technology within the WCH Arena should heighten the overall experience.These improvements, including the seats positioned at a 32-degree angle for spectators and the large screens displaying results and replays, will also add to the excitement of witnessing potential record-breaking performances.
Factors Contributing to Faster Swim Times
- Reduced Turbulence: The pool’s design minimizes water disturbance, creating a smoother habitat for swimmers.
- Deeper Pool: At three meters deep, the pool allows for longer and more effective underwater propulsion.
- Advanced Starting Blocks: OSB11 blocks, identical to those used in Paris, offer optimal launch efficiency.
- Lane Ropes: Malmsten lane ropes are designed to minimize waves, helping to maintain speed throughout the race.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does a deeper pool impact swimming times?
A: A deeper pool benefits swimmers by allowing them to leverage more effective underwater propulsion techniques. This increases speed and reduces drag during the underwater phase of the race.
Q: Besides the pool design, what other factors contribute to faster times?
A: Advancements in starting blocks, lane ropes, and race strategies further enhance potential swim times. Each innovation has a positive impact on race performance.
Q: How will the seating arrangements enhance the spectator experience?
A: The unique 32-degree angle of the seating will provide spectators with better viewing, offering a more immersive experience and possibly driving the swimmers to achieve new records.
Q: Which is the most exciting event in the WCH 2025 to watch?
A: The women’s and men’s 50m freestyle races are going to be incredibly thrilling to watch as the swimmers’ reactions will have a huge impact on their success.
Q: How does the WCH Arena compare to other championship venues?
A: The primary goal of this stadium’s design philosophy is speed. This can be compared to the 2024 edition in Doha, qatar, where the 15,500-capacity Aspire Dome was used.
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