Fukuoka 2023, 20th World Aquatics Championships
Fukuoka is a dynamic and rapidly expanding city, which led to its selection as the host city for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships. Despite having numerous permanent aquatic centres, the Japanese metropolis lacked an arena with large grandstands and adequate spaces to accommodate an event of this magnitude.
To address this challenge, the organizers turned to Myrtha Pools, which, in collaboration with its local partner (APC), undertook a significant project to design and install five temporary competition pools approved for international events according to World Aquatics (formerly known as FINA) standards.
What made these new facilities unique was their ability to be rapidly installed while meeting stringent international sports and safety criteria. Myrtha’s modular system also enabled the combination of high engineering standards and flexibility while ensuring compliance with earthquake regulations, a crucial aspect in a country like Japan. A key feature of Myrtha pools is their unique bolted stainless-steel structure, providing a perfect blend of flexibility and strength. Specifically, these pools are equipped with deformation points that serve as vibration relief devices to safeguard against structural damage during earthquakes or on ground with poor bearing capacity.
(More details below)
Fukuoka is a dynamic and rapidly expanding city, which led to its selection as the host city for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships. Despite having numerous permanent aquatic centres, the Japanese metropolis lacked an arena with large grandstands and adequate spaces to accommodate an event of this magnitude.
To address this challenge, the organizers turned to Myrtha Pools, which, in collaboration with its local partner (APC), undertook a significant project to design and install five temporary competition pools approved for international events according to World Aquatics (formerly known as FINA) standards.
What made these new facilities unique was their ability to be rapidly installed while meeting stringent international sports and safety criteria. Myrtha’s modular system also enabled the combination of high engineering standards and flexibility while ensuring compliance with earthquake regulations, a crucial aspect in a country like Japan. A key feature of Myrtha pools is their unique bolted stainless-steel structure, providing a perfect blend of flexibility and strength. Specifically, these pools are equipped with deformation points that serve as vibration relief devices to safeguard against structural damage during earthquakes or on ground with poor bearing capacity.
(More details below)
Five pools
The five swimming pools at the Fukuoka World Championships were divided as follows: the first three were constructed in Marine Messe Hall A, including an Olympic pool for swimming and synchronized swimming, along with two additional pools dedicated to warm-up sessions.
In Marine Messe Hall B, two more 35-meter pools were built, this time designated for water polo competitions—one for men’s and women’s events and the other for training purposes.
Legacy
Thanks to Myrtha’s modular technology, two of these pools will be reinstalled in four Japanese high schools, providing them with four 25-meter pools of the highest standard, which will be reconfigured to suit the specific sporting needs of each centre.
Moreover, the excitement of hosting an event of this magnitude will be passed on for years to come, as future generations will be told the story of how a pool originally built for an international event is now available to them, thanks to dedicated and careful planning.