Pool water
25–28°C
Pool water
[ Pool ]
Olympic Swimming Pool Construction
Short answer: An Olympic swimming pool measures 50 m by 25 m under World Aquatics rules, with a depth of at least 2 m and 3 m recommended. Sauna Dekor builds competition pools, their plant and indoor halls for federations, universities and hotels in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Pool water · 25–28 °CDesign · Manufacturing · Installation5,000+ projects · 41+ countries · since 1987
In brief (November 2026): an Olympic swimming pool is 50 m long and 25 m wide, at least 2 m deep with 3 m recommended, and has 8 lanes of 2.5 m plus two empty outer lanes (World Aquatics Facilities Rules FR 2.2). Competition water is kept at 25–28 °C.
Who it is for: sports clubs, schools and universities, and municipal or federation facilities.
Sauna Dekor — saunas, Turkish hammams, steam rooms, salt rooms and pools, manufactured since 1987 in our own facility in İkitelli OSB, Istanbul; 5,000+ projects in 41+ countries.
25–28 °CPool water
40Years of experience
Since 1987[ What to know ]
Olympic pool
50 × 25m
depth at least 2 m, 3 m recommended
Spa pool, for comparison
30°C
30 °C
Manufacturing
Own facility, İkitelli OSB, Istanbul
01 — 76 words
Sauna Dekor is a competition and Olympic-size swimming pool contractor for sports federations, universities, hotels and municipal facilities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. We have manufactured in Istanbul since 1987 — our 40th year — and have installed pool and wellness packages in 41+ countries. A competition pool is judged on dimensional tolerance, lane hydraulics and water clarity, so the pool, the plant room and the deck are engineered as one package.
02 — 45 words
Sauna Dekor has been building since 1987 — this is our fortieth year — and works on Olympic-sized swimming pool construction. We adhere rigorously to the International Swimming Federation (FINA) standards, ensuring that our olympic swimming pools are precision-engineered for competitions and training alike.
01
Crafting Dimensions of Precision: Olympic Pool Construction
The allure of Olympic swimming pools lies in their adherence to specific dimensions.
For full-sized Olympic pools, the dimensions are standardized as follows:
Olympic Swimming Pool Dimensions:
Width: 25 meters
Length: 50 meters
Depth: at least 2 meters, 3 meters recommended
Number of Lanes: 8 lanes of 2.5 meters, plus an empty lane at each side
Water Temperature: Maintained between 25 °C and 28 °C
Semi-Olympic pools offer a more compact alternative:
Semi-Olympic Pool Dimensions:
Width: 12.5 meters
Length: 25 meters
Depth: 2 meters
Number of Lanes: 5
Water Temperature: Maintained between 25 °C and 28 °C
02
The Meticulous Stages: From Concept to Completion
Embarking on the journey of Olympic Swimming Pool Construction requires a systematic approach. Sauna Dekor's professional team ensures each stage is executed with precision. Ground excavation, concrete pouring, insulation applications, electrical system installations, steel construction, flooring, and water filling are all meticulously orchestrated to deliver pools that meet the highest standards.
03
Sauna Dekor Distinction: Beyond Pools to Spa Solutions
Sauna Dekor stands out not only for its prowess in constructing pools but also as a distinguished provider of Olympic Swimming Pool Construction. Contributing to the widespread use of Spa & Wellness with its participation in international fairs and diverse projects, Sauna Dekor has designed and built spa facilities since 1987. The company continues to serve its clients in 41+ countries, offering its expertise in both individual and corporate spa center establishments.
01
Swimming Pool Construction Materials Tailored to Your Imagination: A Personalized Approach
In Olympic Swimming Pool construction, customization is key. Sauna Dekor provides individualized designs, allowing users to envision and create pools based on their preferences and the conditions of the application area. The incorporation of signal flags, separating accessories, and racing platforms enhances the versatility of our Olympic pool designs, catering to both competitions and training sessions.
02
Swimming Pool Construction Models, Prices, Maintenance, and Service: A Comprehensive Package
Explore an array of Olympic pool models with Sauna Dekor. Beyond pool construction, we delve into the intricacies of sauna design, emphasizing the choice of wood, heating systems, and overall aesthetic appeal. Prices for Olympic pool construction vary based on factors such as material quality, pool size, and application techniques. Sauna Dekor is committed to the long-term satisfaction of its clients. Regular maintenance and service are integral parts of our offering, ensuring that your Olympic pool remains in optimal condition for years to come.
03
Explore More Pool Types
See our indoor pools, outdoor pools, and prefabricated pool solutions. Add a fitness center for a complete sports facility.
From our portfolio
Pool projects
Rooms we manufactured in Istanbul and installed with our own team. Each frame opens the project page.
04 — 167 words
What makes a pool a competition pool
A competition pool is defined by tolerance, not by size alone. World Aquatics rules set the length at 50 m for a long-course pool and 25 m for short course, with a construction tolerance measured in millimetres and touchpads taken into account, eight or ten lanes at 2.5 m, and a depth that satisfies the starting-block rule at the deep end. Everything else — lane ropes, anti-turbulence gutters, water clarity, deck level — exists to make the recorded time defensible.
| Item | Set by | Consequence for the build |
|---|---|---|
| Length and tolerance | Competition rules | Wall position surveyed, touchpad recess allowed for |
| Lane width and count | Competition rules | Overall width, gutter type, deck width |
| Depth profile | Starting-block and turn rules | Shell structure and excavation volume |
| Deck-level gutter | Wave suppression | Balance tank size and circulation design |
| Turnover rate | Bather load and clarity | Filter area, pump duty, plant room footprint |
| Air handling (indoor) | Humidity and corrosion | Dehumidification plant, corrosion-rated fixings |
05 — 98 words
Indoor competition halls and Gulf conditions
The failure mode of an indoor competition pool is not the pool — it is the hall. Warm, chlorinated, humid air attacks structure, ceilings and fixings, so dehumidification, air distribution and material selection are engineered together with the water treatment. The circulation logic behind clarity is the same one we set out in water circulation in a pool, the operating regime in pool maintenance, and the regional design constraints in swimming pools in Dubai. Where a facility adds a recovery zone next to the training pool, the heat-and-cold logic follows sauna and cold plunge practice.
Comparison
Pool water temperatures compared
Water temperatures of the pools we build. Competition pools follow the World Aquatics range; a spa pool runs warmer; a cold plunge closes the circuit.
| Pool | Water temperature | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Competition swimming pool | Water 25–28 °C | World Aquatics |
| Spa / hydrotherapy pool | Water 30 °C | Typical operating value |
| Cold plunge pool | Water 2–15 °C | Built to the specified setpoint |
Sources: Sauna Dekor approved operating values (October 2026); competition pools: World Aquatics Facilities Rules FR 2.
Comparison
How do the pool types differ in size, water edge, shell and finish?
Pools differ by how the water surface is skimmed and how the body is built. Overflow and finish are chosen after the sizing and the hydraulics, not before.
| Type | What defines it | Water edge | Shell and finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swimming pool | Sized to its use, the space and the budget | Skimmer or overflow | Concrete or shotcrete shell; glass mosaic, porcelain, liner or natural stone |
| Indoor swimming pool | Humidity and ventilation designed with the pool | Skimmer or overflow | Concrete shell; finish chosen for an enclosed hall |
| Olympic pool | 50 × 25 m, depth at least 2 m (3 m recommended), 8 lanes of 2.5 m plus 2 empty lanes | Overflow channel around the pool | World Aquatics Facilities Rules |
| Infinity pool | One edge ends in a weir below the water line | Catch channel and balance tank | Concrete shell; the edge is levelled precisely |
| Prefabricated pool | Pool body made in one piece, delivered ready to install | Integrated skimmer | Fibreglass or precast shell |
| Outdoor swimming pool | Planned to the size and the ground of the site | Skimmer or overflow | Excavation, waterproofing, concrete and lining |
| Ornamental and landscape pool | Decorative water planned with the landscape | — | Waterproof liner |
Sources: Olympic dimensions — World Aquatics Facilities Rules FR 2; Sauna Dekor pool construction scope.
How do you specify an Olympic or competition pool?
Short answer: an Olympic pool is 50 m long and 25 m wide, with 8 lanes of 2.5 m and an empty lane at each side, at least 2 m deep and 3 m recommended. Its water is held at 25–28 °C. The specification fixes these against the World Aquatics facilities rules before the shell is designed.
What the brief should contain:
- Pool use: training, competition or both.
- Hall or outdoor position, and the plant room.
- Overflow edge and balance tank.
- Spectator and deck areas.
We design and build pools with the same team that builds the spa rooms. Send the site plan or read the Olympic pool dimensions.
Updated:
Common mistakes about Olympic pool dimensions
- "An Olympic pool is 2.5 m deep." 2.5 m is the lane width. The depth is at least 2 m, with 3 m recommended.
- "An Olympic pool has 10 lanes." It has 8 lanes of 2.5 m, with an empty lane at each side, inside a width of 25 m.
Source: World Aquatics facilities rules; see Olympic pool dimensions.
Updated:
Length, depth and lane widths are set out in Olympic pool dimensions.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What are the official dimensions of an Olympic swimming pool?
50 m long, with eight or ten lanes at 2.5 m each and a minimum depth set by the starting-block rule. Short-course competition pools are 25 m. Length is held to a construction tolerance measured in millimetres, and the recess for touchpads has to be allowed for so the pool still measures 50 m with the pads fitted.
How much plant does a competition pool need?
Filtration is sized on turnover rate against design bather load, not on volume alone, and the deck-level gutter and balance tank have to absorb the surge that eight swimmers pushing off generate. In practice the plant room for a 50 m pool is a room in its own right and has to be located, sized and ventilated at concept stage rather than found later.
What ventilation does an indoor competition pool hall need?
Dedicated dehumidification with air distribution that sweeps the glazing and the hall surfaces, plus corrosion-rated fixings and finishes throughout. Chloramine-laden humid air is what damages indoor pool halls, so the air system is designed alongside the water treatment rather than after it.
Who are Olympic-size pools built for?
Sports federations and national training centres, universities and schools, municipal aquatic centres, and large resort and residential developments that want a full-length lap facility. The specification changes with the use: a competition venue is built to rule tolerance, a training pool to durability and running cost.
Where do you build competition pools?
We manufacture in Istanbul and deliver across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the wider GCC, with project experience in 41+ countries since 1987. Scope can be the pool package alone or a turnkey delivery including plant room, finishes and commissioning.
Last updated: 12 November 2026
Gallery
Pool examples
Get a quote for a pool
Send us the room size and ceiling height; we will work out the scope and the budget range with you.
Last updated: 12 November 2026