T

he Indonesian Swimming Association (PRSI) has noted concerns regarding safety at the new Aquatic Stadium at the Gelora Bung Karno sporting complex in Senayan, Jakarta.

The safety concerns involve slippery spots and unstable stairs on the diving tower as well as unsuitable facilities in certain supporting rooms within the stadium.

The problems were noticed during the diving competition of the two-week long 2018 Asian Games test event titled the CIMB Niaga Indonesia Open Aquatic Championship 2017, which began on Tuesday.

PRSI deputy chief Harlin E. Rahadjo said athletes and a technical delegate from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) had recorded the safety-related flaws in the diving arena.

“Reports from the field have mentioned slippery spots on the diving tower as well as rickety stairs, which is dangerous for athletes,” Harlin told the press on the sidelines of the test event on Thursday.

He added that the diving venue required extra safety measures because of the nature of the sport.

“As you can see, athletes climb up the tower and jump from the platforms. You cannot have slippery spots on the tower, because if athletes slip during their routines it could have ugly outcomes, like hitting their heads against the platforms,” Harlin explained.

In addition to the acknowledged problems in the field of play, Harlin said several supporting rooms – such as rooms for technical delegates, officials, medical treatment and doping testing – within the stadium would also need further adjustment.

“For example, we think the medical room needs a wider entrance, which will be essential during emergency situations. The entrance should be able to fit a big bed for patients.

“The medical room is an important supporting room in the stadium because it will cater for both athletes and visitors,” he added.

Harlin said a technical delegate at the diving venue had noted the problems and would report them to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The OCA will later address the matter to the Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) in coming technical meetings.

The Indonesia Open tournament began on Tuesday and will run until Dec. 15, featuring diving, artistic swimming, swimming and water polo -- all events that will be included in the 2018 Games -- plus a masters swimming competition for participants above 30 years of age.

More than 1,500 athletes from eight countries are participating in the event, which is aimed at evaluating the venue and preparing officials set to be on duty during the Jakarta-Palembang Games.

Seven foreign countries, namely India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, are taking part in the diving and swimming events only.

The first week of the event was dedicated to diving and artistic swimming competitions. In the second week, which starts Sunday, the organizers will hold swimming and water polo competitions.

From the competition, Indonesia had collected one gold medal and three silvers in diving as of Thursday evening.

Hailing from Jakarta, Andriyan and Adityo Restu Putra nabbed the gold medal in the men’s synchronized diving by scoring 336.45, beating Malaysia’s Jellson Jabillin and Hanis Nazirul Jaya Surya who scored 330.81.

“We’re really grateful to win the gold although there was a slippery spot on the platform, which prevented us from performing our best,” Andriyan said in a post-match interview on Wednesday as quoted by Antara.

Meanwhile, the silver medals were won by Adityo Restu Putra and Tri Anggoro Priambodo in the men’s 3m synchronized diving, Maria Natalie Dinda and Linadini Yasmin in the women’s 3m synchronized as well as Della Dinarsari Harimukti in the women’s 1m platform.