Swimming’s governing body, Fina, expressed surprise and disappointment on Monday at the decision to scrap plans to put a roof over the pool for the Athens Olympics.
The Games’ organisers decided on Sunday that it would be impossible to finish the construction work in time for the start of the Games on August 13.
The roof, already downgraded to a temporary tarpaulin construction, would have shaded swimmers from the searing summer temperatures in Athens and ensured high-quality television pictures.
Fina said it had received guarantees earlier this month that the temporary roof would be completed in time.
”To Fina’s total surprise, it has now been announced that the construction of the roof will not take place,” it said in a statement.
The federation said it had greeted the announcement with ”great disappointment”.
”Fina would like to remind [everyone] that one of its recommendations in the bidding documents for the Olympic Games stipulates the preference for the competition to take place in an indoor venue.”
It added: ”The structure was essential to protect the swimmers, water polo players, officials, media representatives and spectators from the sun and the high temperatures and to create the best possible Olympic swimming competition.
”Moreover, it was an important requirement to ensure optimal conditions for the television coverage.
”Fina regrets very much this decision, which does not respect any of the previous agreeements.”
The decision to scrap the pool roof has heightened concerns that other Olympic venues will not be completed in time. — Sapa-AFP