Francisco Márquez Olympic Pool and Juan de la Barrera Olympic Gymnasium
Situated next to each other and forming a small sports complex to the south of downtown Mexico City, the Francisco Márquez Olympic Pool and Juan de la Barrera Olympic Gymnasium both remain open to the public today.
The two facilities were purpose built for Mexico 1968 and later renovated as part of the celebrations held to mark its 50th anniversary. The Olympic Pool staged the swimming, diving and water polo competitions as well as the swimming event in the modern pentathlon. Its next-door neighbour hosted the volleyball competition.
With its distinctive metal frame and large glass façade, the Olympic Pool is regarded as one of the city’s finest buildings. Although neglected for several years, it was refurbished and reopened in 2009 as part of a federal government drive to encourage more people to exercise. Renovated on two further occasions – the second time to provide easier access for senior citizens and people with disabilities – it is a public pool used by residents and local swim clubs and is also the location of the borough and city’s sports offices.
For its part, the Juan de la Barrera Olympic Gymnasium is now the home of Mexican National Basketball League (LNBP) team Capitanes de la CdMx. It was also the venue for the FIVB Men’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament for Rio 2016 and has hosted multiple national and international sporting events. In addition, the complex also caters for gymnastics, taekwondo, boxing, squash, frontenis, archery and speed skating.