The International Aquatics Federation says that air conditioning should be installed at the Olympic Park aquatics center, but the city continues to assess the situation.
FINA Executive Director Cornel Marculescu described the venue to ATR as an “indoor, outdoor pool complex,†that could use more ventilation at the pool level. Marculescu remains impressed with the venue after seeing it in use, saying athlete feedback remains positive.
In order to save money on energy costs, the aquatics venue has no artificial ventilation system. The temporary venue is wrapped in a fabric that will facilitate a natural cooling system for spectators and athletes.
“The only thing for us now is to be sure that the level of the pool can have this artificial ventilation so the athletes have the necessary air and it is not too hot or too cold depending on the weather outside,†Marculescu added. “In general what I hear is the athletes are happy, the water is okay, and they feel good in the pool. No news is good news.â€
The aquatics venue is currently in control of the Rio 2016 organizing committee. Rio city hall is currently assessing the need for a potential air conditioning system, but has no timeline for when that decision will be reached, a spokesperson told ATR.
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