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Hadid's National Aquatics Centre convinces Ian Thorpe to compete in 2012 Olympics
As WAN champions the cause for effective architecture, five-time Olympic medallist Ian Thorpe has announced that his recent visit to the Aquatics Centre at the Olympic Park in London has inspired him to rejoin the race for gold. The 28 year old Australian champion was given a tour of the facilities in the autumn by Chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games Sebastian Coe, who yesterday explained: “He was clearly thinking about his future. I am pretty sure what he saw in the Olympic Park tipped the balance.”
Thorpe retired from competitive swimming five years ago with 13 world records, five Olympic gold medals and 11 world championship golds to his name, but has been considering his return to the game over recent months. Referencing his trip to London, Thorpe commented: “I was then taken to see the swimming venue for the London Games. It was an extraordinary venue and I could actually taste it. I haven’t felt this way about swimming for a very, very long time.”
The Aquatic Centre at the Olympic Park in Stratford, East London has been designed by Zaha Hadid and sports a distinctive wave-like roof. Construction is progressing well, with the steel roof structure now in place, and the concrete dive pool and two 50m competition and training pools dug out, lined and tested. Click here for more details on construction efforts at the Olympic Park.
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