The Empire Pool was demolished

It means Cardiff Swimming Club, which has produced 13 Olympic swimmers in its time, would have to find ways of training in busier leisure centre pools in the city.

It is likely the Sophia Gardens venue will be given over to other sports such as badminton, judo, netball and disabled sports.

Swimming facilities in Cardiff have not recovered since the Empire Pool was demolished in 1998 to make way for the city's Millennium Stadium.

Talk of a possible replacement has so far come to nothing with plans for �240m sports village in Cardiff Bay still caught up in red tape.

Swansea's success in landing Wales's new flagship swimming facility has put further pressure on the ageing Welsh Institute of Sport building.

The organisation has made an application to the Welsh Assembly to make changes to its the facilities at the institute.

How the Swansea pool will look

Spokeswoman Jane Williams said the existing building was 30 years old and would soon require major repairs and refurbishment.

"In particular, its roof, swimming pool and power supply systems almost certainly need to be replaced.

"The swimming pool has a steel suspended tank and antiquated heating system.

"Many replacement parts are no longer available.

"Faced with significant costs, the Sports Council for Wales is taking the opportunity to undertake a major review of the institute and is giving careful consideration to the long-term future needs of governing bodies of sport in Wales."

But the prospect of having nowhere to train its talent if a new pool is not built before the old one goes has not impressed Cardiff Swimming Club.

Coach Dave Haller said: "If this facility does go, we'll have nowhere else in Cardiff to train.

"We're the best club in Wales by a long way - in the top eight in Britain - and it would a tragic blow for us."