I've seen so many venues in my life but I had a visual shock - this is unique, state of the art.

Carrying forward the legacy of the 2012 Games, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has evolved into a thriving centre for sport, culture, and community in east London. One of the Park’s most powerful contributions has been enabling sporting participation at the grassroots and ‘everyday level’, not just for elite athletes. Its world-class venues have been reimagined for everyday use alongside professionals.

The people who live and work here make up one of the most culturally diverse communities in London and indeed the UK.

London Aquatics Centre is one of the most technologically advanced swimming facilities in the world, as well as a gym and café all open to the public 7-days-a-week. It continues to host swimming and diving activity all the way from grassroots to elite Olympic athletes. Drawing in over 1 million visits per year, it is used by 62 clubs and 57 schools, as well as the Tom Daley Diving Academy.

I've been to Rio, I've been to LA, I've been to so many of these cities which have crafted Olympic legacies, but none of them like this.

As of Q2 2024, the London Aquatics Centre had generated in excess of £846,000 in social value for its users, improving social and physical health, boosting wellbeing and making provisions for social and community development.