A new £5 million 'Olympic-size' swimming pool in Portsmouth has been built two inches too short for international competition.
The eight-lane pool at Mountbatten Leisure Centre is 50 metres in length but international standard pools need to have an extra two inches so that touch-sensitive time boards can be installed.
The Liberal Democrat council in charge of the project have denied that they have blundered in the construction of the pool but opponents say the decision could cost the city millions as it had been earmarked as a training venue for London 2012 athletes.
"The way it was sold to us was we would be hosting an Olympic team of swimmers for training for the 2012 games," said Tory councillor Donna Jones.
"But now we're being told the pool is two inches too short and as a result the city will lose millions of pounds of revenue along with cash grants.
"The amateurs will be happy with the pool but not top-level athletes."
Another Tory councillor Jim Fleming added: "It's a mistake. It's not long enough to meet Olympic standards.
"It was a council mix-up, a failure to deliver, and the cabinet should admit it and apologise to the city."
However, Lib Dem councillor Lee Hunt said that athletes can still use a stop-watch when training and that councillors were perfectly aware of what they were voting for.
"It was never to be used for the Olympics. It can be used for training and competitions," he said.
"It was developed with national sporting bodies and we were aware of this when voting."
Observations:
Must have been the council cutbacks!
Must have employed a load of builders who don't speak or read English!!
The council are not likely to admit their error if they don't get the Olympic training
The disappointment is amazing when you are 2 inches too short!!!!
