Blodgett Pool, the new Olympic-size swimming and diving pool at the Soldiers Field athletic center, was officially opened Saturday with a dedication ceremony led by President Bok before a standing-room-only crowd of over 1200.

The ceremony also included addresses by James Q. Wilson, Shattuck Professor of Government and chairman of the Standing Committee on Athletic Sports, and John W. Blodgett Jr. '23, the donor after whom the new pool is named.

The new 50-meter pool has three separate areas for different water sports, including ten lanes for lap swimming, a 25-yard exhibition zone for short-course races and seven recreational lanes.

In addition to the pool's lane facilities, a 12-foot area for diving and a 1200-seat gallery are expected to provide ample space for the swim teams and the swimming community, John P. Reardon '60, athletic director for the University, said Friday.

The pool is also equipped with two three-meter boards, two one-meter boards, two diving towers, and underwater windows for photographers.

Although the Harvard men's team held its meet at Blodgett Pool on Saturday, and both teams have been practicing there for the past three weeks, the pool will not open to the public until today.