What is an Olympic-Size Pool?

During and after the summer Olympics, people throughout the world get caught up in the thrill of the Games, the athletes and the competitions. According to the International Olympic Committee, (IOC) the star attractions of the Summer Games are athletics (that would be jumping, throwing, and sprint, middle-distance and long-distance races) and swimming. These are the most widely followed Olympic sports in the world and also have the largest number of events and participants from different countries.

That Olympic Pool is Really Big. Like, Really, Really Big

Indeed, the pool is large. The first Olympic swimming competitions of the "modern" Games took place in the sea or in a river, which, traditionally, are good-sized bodies of water. Competitions now take place in a 50-meter swimming pool, which is usually indoors.

If someone -- like your boastful brother-in-law or the neighbor who fancies himself the Mr. Jones everyone with whom everyone is trying to keep up -- tells you they have an Olympic-size pool in their backyard, this person is either:

1. Wealthy
2. Owns an estate or lots of land
3. Resides in an institution, like a school or some sort of municipal building
4. Misguided
5. An outright liar

A regulation Olympic competition pool:

• Contains about 500,000 gallons of water
• Is 50 meters long
• Width: 25.0 meters
• Depth: 2 meters (minimum); 3 meters recommended
• Pools for Olympic Games and World Championships must be equipped with flush walls at both ends*
• Number of lanes: 8 (eight), for World Championships and Olympic Games: 10 (ten). Five feet deep

Terms to be aware of are junior Olympic size, Olympic style, Olympic inspired. You get the idea.

* Source: Fina.org