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The Olympic-sized swimming pool at Parque Oeste welcomes its first groups for free water aerobics and swimming lessons.
Published on 13/01/2026 - 19:03 | Updated
The activities began with the participation of residents of different ages. Photo: Press Release/SMEL The Rio de Janeiro City Hall began, on Tuesday (January 13th), free swimming and water aerobics classes at the Olympic pool in Parque Oeste Ana Gonzaga, in Inhoaíba, in the West Zone. Inaugurated in December, the facility is now part of the range of sports and leisure activities available to the population of the region.
Built for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the pool was part of the Olympic Park Aquatic Stadium and was the stage for the farewells of American swimmer Michael Phelps and Brazilian Paralympic multi-champion Clodoaldo Silva. Following the nomadic architecture plan, the structure was dismantled after the Games and reinstalled in Parque Oeste, where it is now being used by the public.
The activities began with the participation of residents of different ages, accompanied by teachers from the Municipal Department of Sports. The 700 places initially offered were filled in a few hours, and the remaining interested parties were registered on a waiting list.
According to the municipal Secretary of Sports, Guilherme Schleder, the initiative reinforces the City Hall's commitment to expanding public access to sports facilities.
"It's important to see the population using a facility of this size. This is a concrete legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which now fulfills a social and sporting function. The demand registered during the registration period demonstrates the importance of bringing sporting activities to all regions of the city," he stated.
Measuring 50 meters in length and meeting official competition dimensions, the pool adheres to international standards adopted in major sporting events. The facility is managed by the Municipal Sports Secretariat and offers water aerobics and swimming lessons for different age groups: baby (3 months to 3 years), children 1 (4 to 6 years), children 2 (7 to 9 years), children 3 (10 to 13 years), teenagers (14 to 17 years), and adults (18 years and older).
The swimming pool is part of the second phase of the West Park project, conducted by the Municipal Urbanization Company (Rio-Urbe). The project also includes the construction of a viewpoint, an ecumenical space, a waterfall shower with a support building equipped with changing rooms and a dining area.
Furthermore, the project includes the construction of a children's playground, a base for the Elite Division of the Municipal Guard – Municipal Force, an administrative building for park workers, two public schools, multi-sports courts, and sand courts.
With a total area of 234 square meters, the Ana Gonzaga West Park is located on Avenida Cesário de Melo. The space was inaugurated in September 2024, with the completion of the first phase of construction.
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