The architects who designed the pool at Sheffield's Ponds Forge have said that comments made by British Swimming – that the pool is 'too fast' – are a compliment.

Earlier this week, Bill Furniss, head coach of British Swimming, said the pool at Ponds Forge "distorts swimmers' times" and that he's considering holding qualifying events for the Olympics and other major competitions elsewhere.

Michael Hall, from architects FaulknerBrowns – the pool's designers – said designing a fast pool is the ultimate achievement for architects and that Furniss's comments represent the highest possible praise.

"Designing a fast pool a the Holy Grail in our profession," Hall said. "It underlines what we achieved in 1991 if the pool is still considered so quick 22 years later. We've gone on to designed a further 10 Olympic-sized pools across the UK and overseas since."

Ponds Forge was designed by FaulknerBrowns in 1988.