1. Sports

Underwater View of the Swimming Pool

A main competition swimming pool is deep so that no waves bounce off of the bottom of the pool and interfere with swimmers.
Underwater view of a swimming pool

Underwater View of a Competition Swimming Pool

Feng Li/Getty Images
The yellow surface on the wall is the part of the electronic timing system, it registers whenever a swimmer touches it, indicating their finish. The ropes between each swimming lane help to dissipate waves, and they change color 5-meters from the end, helping swimmers know the wall is approaching. The line on the bottom of the pool in the center of each lane also changes at the wall to help swimmers know when to turn.

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.