World Aquatics Opens Pool at Record Altitude in Bhutan
World Aquatics on Wednesday unveiled a new pool at a record altitude of 8,200 feet (2,400 meters) in the country of Bhutan.
The pool was funded through the Pools for All Program development initiative launched in 2019. This one happens to be the highest swimming pool of its kind in the world. It will allow top national swimmers, who usually have to travel abroad to train and apply for scholarship programs and funding through institutions like World Aquatics, to remain home.
“The opening of this Pools for All pool in Bhutan represents a significant milestone in our mission to promote aquatics sports globally,” World Aquatics president Husain Al-Musallam said in a press release. “We are immensely proud to have collaborated with the Bhutan Aquatics Federation to bring this project to fruition. Together, we can create opportunities for and inspire athletes and aquatics enthusiasts across Bhutan.”
“Growing up as swimmers dreaming of competing on the world stage without a pool to learn or train in has presented challenges to overcome,” swimmer Kinley Lhendup said. “Today, Bhutan dives into a new era of aquatics. I couldn’t be more excited about what this facility in Thimphu means not only for Sangay and me personally but especially for the future of aquatic sports in our country.”
The opening ceremony was attended by Al-Musallam as well as Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuk, the president of the Bhutan Olympic Committee, and representatives from the Bhutan Aquatics Federation.