Wembley Empire Pool – of Empire and Olympic Fame – 1933
Wembley Empire Pool 1947 above. An International Water Polo match
Wembley Empire Pool – Olympic Games “Citius, Altius, Fortius” Quicker, Higher, more Strongly
The Pride and Joy of the Country, was this fine and largest indoor pool in the world. It was built during 1933, and was ready for the Empire Games in 1934. The National events were held in 1936 followed by the European Championships in 1938.
All set for the Empire Games 1934. Wembley Area Library 1994 +
EMPIRE GAMES 1934
Wembley Empire Pool during the Empire Games 1934 and the 30s
Great British aquatic stars performed in this pool, namely Messrs. J Rasch and T Mather becoming Champions on springboard and highboard respectively; Miss E MacReady, Highboard Empire Champion in 1934. Mr C.D Tomalin clinched the Highboard title in 1936; Miss Betty Slade became European Springboard champion in 1938.
With the oncoming of the war years the pool was floored over and used as a great ice rink. […]
The Opening of the Empire Pool Wembley 1933 by HRH The Duke of Gloucester. You can click to Pathe clip
Read more…Cardiff Empire Pool. Another great pool built for the Empire Games 1958
…In 1948, ten miles of piping were removed and the pool was opened up again, ready for the highlight of the decade – the Olympic Games.
OLYMPIC GAMES 1948
Wembley Empire Pool Olympic Games 1948
Diving, swimming and water polo from the 1948 Olympics in this utube video link below. What would the rock, gig and audiences of TV presentations of today make of this. They’d never believe it!
The Ladies British Olympic Games Swimming Team 1948 by kind permission of Rob Baker enlarge ++
Olympic Games Splash Down in the Wembley Empire Pool 1948. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zh8Cb6PzU0
The BBC at Wembley for the 1948 Olympic Games. BBC Olympic Archive
USA divers swept the boards at the Olympics, namely Mr Bruce Harlan – Springboard and Dr Sammy Lee – Highboard with Miss V Draves gaining both titles. There was strong opposition from British divers and swimmers that did Britain proud, many reaching the Olympic, European and Empire finals.
Olympic Games 1948 – Quiet time at the Pool. Courtesy of Mr. C. Burt – Swimming Coach
OUTCOME: Surprisingly this fine Wembley Empire pool was closed following the Olympics
The pool was never to be opened as a swimming pool again. The name changed and became Wembley Arena, staging top events as Horse Trials, Ice Spectaculars, Exhibitions of all types, Sports Tournaments, Pop Concerts and many more. How many people from recent generations realise they are sitting on top of a once majestic swimming pool? – and… it’s still there – underneath! Undo a trap door and you are in the basin.
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