Swimming at the Summer Olympics
Encyclopedia
Swimming
has been a sport at every modern Summer Olympics. It has been open to women since 1912
. Along with track & field athletics
and gymnastics
it is one of the most popular spectator sports at the Games and the one with the largest number of events.
recognise the best performances in all 32 current pool-based swimming events at the Games as Olympic record
s.
In the first four Olympics, competitions were not held in pools, but rather in open water (1896, the Mediterranean Sea
; 1900, the Seine
; 1904, an artificial lake; 1906, the Mediterranean). The 1904 Olympics' races were the only ones ever measured at yards, instead of the usual metres. A 100 metre pool was built for the 1908 Olympics and sat in the centre of the main stadium's track and field oval. The 1912 Olympics, held in the Stockholm harbour, marked the beginning of electrical timing.
Male swimmers wore full body swimsuits up until the 1940s, which caused more drag in the water than their modern swim-wear counterparts. Also, over the years, pool designs have lessened the drag. Some design considerations allow for the reduction of swimming resistance
making the pool faster. Namely, proper pool depth, elimination of waves, elimination of currents, increased lane width, energy absorbing racing lane lines and gutters, and the use of other innovative hydraulic, acoustic, illumination, and swimwear designs.
The 1924 Olympics
were the first to use the standard 50 metre pool with marked lanes. In the freestyle, swimmers originally dove from the pool walls, but diving blocks were incorporated starting at the 1936 Summer Olympics
. The flip-turn was developed by the 1950s. Swimming goggles were first allowed in 1976
.
The butterfly stroke
events were not held until 1956. According to the rules before then, the butterfly stroke was allowed in the breaststroke
races - but then the contest rules were changed, abolishing the use of the butterfly stroke in the breaststroke races.
Women were first allowed the longer distance of 800 metres freestyle in 1968, which remains the longest distance for women. Up until then, women were considered to be too "delicate" to swim a race this long, even though the men had had the 1,500 metre freestyle from the very early years.
Both men and women were granted the 200 metre freestyle race in 1968, giving swimmers an intermediate distance race between 100 metres and 400 metres.
Women's teams were first granted the 800 metre freestyle relay race in 1996 - even though there had been a men's relay race at that distance since 1912. At six Olympiads, the men had two freestyle relay races, but the women only had one. Now, both sexes have two.
The medley relay races (4×100 metres) were not held for men or for women until 1960, but they have continued in every Olympiad since then.
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
has been a sport at every modern Summer Olympics. It has been open to women since 1912
1912 Summer Olympics
The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,407 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports...
. Along with track & field athletics
Athletics at the Summer Olympics
Athletics has been contested at every Summer Olympics since the birth of the modern Olympic movement at the 1896 Summer Olympics. The athletics program traces its earliest roots to events used in the ancient Greek Olympics. The modern program now comprises track and field events, road running...
and gymnastics
Gymnastics at the Summer Olympics
Gymnastics events have been contested at every Summer Olympic Games since the birth of the modern Olympic movement at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens. For 32 years, only men were allowed to compete. Beginning at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, women were allowed to compete in artistic...
it is one of the most popular spectator sports at the Games and the one with the largest number of events.
Men's events
| Current program | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 50 metre freestyle | X Swimming at the 1904 Summer Olympics - Men's 50 yard freestyle The men's 50 yard freestyle was a swimming event held as part of the Swimming at the 1904 Summer Olympics programme. It was the first time the short-distance event was held at the Olympics, and the only time the distance of 50 yards was used... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 100 metre freestyle | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre freestyle The men's 100 metre freestyle event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place between November 29 and 30. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre freestyle The men's 100 metre freestyle event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place between August 26 and 27. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre freestyle The men's 100 metre freestyle event at the 1964 Olympic Games took place between October 11 and 12. In freestyle swimming, the stroke used is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre freestyle The men's 100 metre freestyle event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place between October 18 and 19. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre freestyle The men's 100 metre freestyle event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place between September 2 and 3. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre freestyle The Men's 100 metre freestyle event at the 2008 Olympic Games took place between August 12 and 14 at the Beijing National Aquatics Center. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant... |
25 | |
| 200 metre freestyle | X | X | X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre freestyle The men's 200 metre freestyle event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place October 24. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre freestyle The men's 200 metre freestyle event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place August 29. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre freestyle The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Heats:-Semifinals:-Final:* WR = World Record; AS = Asian Record-References:... |
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| 400 metre freestyle | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metre freestyle The men's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1952 Olympic Games took place between July 28 and 30 at the Swimming Stadium. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metre freestyle The men's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place between December 1 and 4. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metre freestyle The men's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place between August 30 and 31. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metre freestyle The men's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1964 Olympic Games took place between October 14 and 15. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metre freestyle The men's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place between October 22 and 23. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metre freestyle The men's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place September 1. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metre freestyle -Heats:-Final:* WR = World Record; OR = Olympic Record; NR = National Record; PB = Personal Best* AS = Asian Record; AF = African Record-References:... |
24 | ||
| 1500 metre freestyle | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle The men's 1500 metre freestyle event at the 1952 Olympic Games took place between July 31 and August 2, at the Swimming Stadium. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that... |
X Swimming at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle The men's 1500 metre freestyle event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place between December 5 and 7. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle The men's 1500 metre freestyle event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place between September 2 and 3. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle The men's 1500 metre freestyle event at the 1964 Olympic Games took place between October 16 and 17. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle The men's 1500 metre freestyle event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place between October 25 and 26. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle The men's 1500 metre freestyle event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place between September 3 and 4. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Heat 1:-Heat 2:-Heat 3:-Heat 4:-Heat 5:Legend: OR=Olympic Record; AM=Americas Record; ER=European Record; AS=Asian Record-Final:... |
24 | ||
| 100 metre backstroke | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre backstroke The men's 100 metre backstroke event at the 1952 Olympic Games took place between July 30 and August 1, at the Swimming Stadium. This swimming event used the backstroke... |
X Swimming at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre backstroke The men's 100 metre backstroke event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place between December 4 and 6. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of two lengths of the pool.-Medalists:... |
X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre backstroke The men's 100 metre backstroke event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place between August 30 and 31. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of two lengths of the pool.-Medalists:... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre backstroke The men's 100 metre backstroke event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place between October 21 and 22. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of two lengths of the pool.-Medalists:... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre backstroke The men's 100 metre backstroke event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place between August 28 and 29. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of two lengths of the pool.-Medalists:... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre backstroke The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Heats:-Semifinals:-Final:... |
23 | |||
| 200 metre backstroke | X | X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre backstroke The men's 200 metre backstroke event at the 1964 Olympic Games took place between October 11 and 13. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre backstroke The men's 200 metre backstroke event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place October 25. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:-Final:... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre backstroke The men's 200 metre backstroke event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place September 2. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:-Final:... |
X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre backstroke The men's 200 metre backstroke event at the 1988 Olympic Games took place September 22. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:-Final:... |
X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre backstroke The record now stands as recorded below:-Heat 1:-Heat 2:-Heat 3:-Heat 4:-Heat 5:-Heat 6:-Semifinal 1:-Semifinal 2:-Swim-Off:-Final:-References:... |
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| 100 metre breaststroke | X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre breaststroke The men's 100 metre breaststroke event at the 1968 Summer Olympics took place between October 18 and October 19. This swimming event used the breaststroke... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre breaststroke The men's 100 metre breaststroke event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place between August 29 and August 30. This swimming event used the breaststroke... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre breaststroke The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Schedule:All times are China Standard Time -Heats:-Semifinals:-Final:-References:... |
11 | |||||||||||||||
| 200 metre breaststroke | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre breaststroke The men's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1952 Olympic Games took place between July 31 and August 2 at the Swimming Stadium. This swimming event used the breaststroke... |
X Swimming at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre breaststroke The men's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place between November 30 and December 6. This swimming event used the breaststroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.... |
X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre breaststroke The men's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place between August 26 and August 30. This swimming event used the breaststroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.... |
X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre breaststroke The men's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1964 Summer Olympics took place between October 13 and October 15. This swimming event used the breaststroke... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre breaststroke The men's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1968 Summer Olympics took place between October 21 and October 22. This swimming event used the breaststroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre breaststroke The men's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place September 2. This swimming event used the breaststroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:-Final:... |
X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre breaststroke The men's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1988 Olympic Games took place September 23. This swimming event used the breaststroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:... |
X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre breaststroke The men's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 2008 Olympic Games took place between August 12 and 14 at the Beijing National Aquatics Center. This swimming event used the breaststroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.Seven... |
23 | |||
| 100 metre butterfly | X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre butterfly The men's 100 metre butterfly event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place between October 20 and 21. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of two lengths of the pool.... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre butterfly The men's 100 metre butterfly event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place between August 30 and 31. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of two lengths of the pool.... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metre butterfly The men's 100 metre butterfly event, included in the swimming competition at the 2008 Summer Olympics, took place on August 14–16, at the Beijing National Aquatics Center... |
11 | |||||||||||||||
| 200 metre butterfly | X Swimming at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre butterfly The men's 200 metre butterfly event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place on November 30 and December 1. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.... |
X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre butterfly The men's 200 metre butterfly event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place on August 31 and September 2. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.... |
X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre butterfly The men's 200 metre butterfly event at the 1964 Olympic Games took place on October 16 and October 18. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre butterfly The men's 200 metre butterfly event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place October 24. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:-Final:... |
X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre butterfly The men's 200 metre butterfly event at the 1988 Olympic Games took place September 24. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Records:... |
X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre butterfly The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Heat 1:-Heat 2:-Heat 3:-Heat 4:-Heat 5:-Heat 6:-Semifinal 1:-Semifinal 2:-Final:... |
14 | ||||||||||||
| 200 metre individual medley | X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre individual medley The men's 200 metre individual medley event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place between October 19 and 20. This swimming event used medley swimming. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre individual medley The men's 200 metre individual medley event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place September 3. This swimming event used medley swimming. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool. The first length was swum using the butterfly stroke, the... |
X | X Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre individual medley The Men's 200m Individual Medley event at the 1988 Olympic Games took place September 25, 1988.Records at the time of the event were:*World Record : 2:00.56, Tamás Darnyi ; August 23, 1987, Strasbourg, France.... |
X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metre individual medley The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Heats:* Q = Qualified* DNS = Did Not Start-Semifinals:-Final:-References:... |
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| 400 metre individual medley | X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metre individual medley The men's 400 metre individual medley event at the 1964 Summer Olympics took place on 12–14 October. This swimming event used medley swimming. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of eight lengths of the pool... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metre individual medley The men's 400 metre individual medley event at the 1968 Summer Olympics took place on 22–23 October. This swimming event used medley swimming. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of eight lengths of the pool... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metre individual medley The men's 400 metre individual medley event at the 1972 Summer Olympics took place August 30. This swimming event used medley swimming. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of eight lengths of the pool... |
X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metre individual medley The men's 400 metre individual medley event at the 1988 Summer Olympics took place between September 20 & September 21. 34 swimmers swam in this event.... |
X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metre individual medley The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.- Heats :* OR = Olympic Record; Q = Qualified for next round* NR = National Record- Final :* WR = World Record; OR = Olympic Record... |
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| 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay | X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay The men's 4×100 metre freestyle relay event at the 1964 Olympic Games took place October 13 — October 14. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming two lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:Heat 1... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay The men's 4×100 metre freestyle relay event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place October 17. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming two lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:Heat 1Heat 2... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay The men's 4×100 metre freestyle relay event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place August 28. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming two lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:Heat 1Heat 2-References:... |
X | X Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay The men's 4×100 metre freestyle relay event at the 1988 Olympic Games took place September 23. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming two lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:Heat 1Heat 2... |
X | X | X | X | X | 10 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay The men's 4×200 metre freestyle relay event at the 1952 Olympic Games took place July 28 — 29, at the Swimming Stadium. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming four lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:... |
X Swimming at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay The men's 4×200 metre freestyle relay event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place December 1 — 3. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming four lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:... |
X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay The men's 4×200 metre freestyle relay event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place August 29 — September 1. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming four lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:... |
X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay The men's 4×200 metre freestyle relay event at the 1964 Olympic Games took place October 17 — October 18. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming four lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:Heat 1... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay The men's 4×200 metre freestyle relay event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place October 21. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming four lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:Heat 1Heat 2... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay The men's 4×200 metre freestyle relay event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place August 31. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming four lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:Heat 1Heat 2... |
X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay The men's 4×200 metre freestyle relay event at the 1988 Olympic Games took place between September 20 & September 21. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming four lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:Heat 1... |
X | X | X | X | X | 23 | |||
| 4 × 100 metre medley relay | X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 100 metre medley relay The men's 4×100 metre medley relay event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place on August 27 and September 1 . This swimming event uses medley swimming as a relay. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, each of the four swimmers completed two lengths of the pool, each using a... |
X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 100 metre medley relay The men's 4×100 metre medley relay event at the 1964 Olympic Games took place on October 15 and October 16 . This swimming event uses medley swimming as a relay. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, each of the four swimmers completed two lengths of the pool, each using a... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 100 metre medley relay The men's 4×100 metre medley relay event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place on October 26. This swimming event uses medley swimming as a relay. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, each of the four swimmers completed two lengths of the pool, each using a different stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 x 100 metre medley relay The men's 4×100 metre medley relay event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place on September 4. This swimming event uses medley swimming as a relay. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, each of the four swimmers completed two lengths of the pool, each using a different stroke... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 13 | |||||||||||||
| Marathon 10 km | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's marathon 10 kilometre The men's marathon 10 kilometre event at the 2008 Olympic Games took place on August 21 at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park. It was a new event on the program at the 2008 Games. The men's and women's marathon 10 kilometre races, unlike all of the other swimming events, were held in open... |
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| Past events | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 500 metre freestyle | X | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 880 yard freestyle | X | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1000 metre freestyle | X | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1200 metre freestyle | X | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4000 metre freestyle | X | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 400 metre breaststroke | X | X | X | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 × 50 yard freestyle relay | X | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 200 metre team swimming | X | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 200 metre obstacle event | X | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwater swimming | X | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 100 metre freestyle for sailors | X | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Events | 4 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | |
Women's events
| 50 metre freestyle | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 50 metre freestyle The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Heat 1:-Heat 2:-Heat 3:-Heat 4:-Heat 5:-Heat 6:-Heat 7:-Heat 8:-Heat 9:-Heat 10:-Heat 11:-Heat 12:-Semifinal 1:-Semifinal 2:-Final:... |
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| 100 metre freestyle | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre freestyle The women's 100 metre freestyle event at the 1952 Olympic Games took place between July 26 and 28 at the Swimming Stadium. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre freestyle The women's 100 metre freestyle event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place between November 29 and 1. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre freestyle The women's 100 metre freestyle event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place between August 26 and 29. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre freestyle The women's 100 metre freestyle event at the 1964 Olympic Games took place between October 12 and 13. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre freestyle The women's 100 metre freestyle event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place between October 18 and 19. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre freestyle The women's 100 metre freestyle event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place between August 28 and 29. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre freestyle The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.World record holder and current World Champion, Lisbeth Trickett, was the favourite to win gold on Day 6 of swimming competition... |
22 | ||||
| 200 metre freestyle | X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre freestyle The women's 200 metre freestyle event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place between October 21 and 22. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre freestyle The women's 200 metre freestyle event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place September 1. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre freestyle The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Heats:-Semifinal 1:-Semifinal 2:-Final:-References:... |
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| 400 metre freestyle | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre freestyle The women's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1952 Olympic Games took place between July 31 and August 2 at the Swimming Stadium. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that... |
X Swimming at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre freestyle The women's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place between December 5 and 7. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre freestyle The women's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place between August 31 and September 1. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre freestyle The women's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1964 Olympic Games took place between October 17 and 18. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre freestyle The women's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place between October 19 and 20. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre freestyle The women's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place August 30. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre freestyle The Women's 400 metre freestyle event at the 2008 Summer Olympics took place on 10–11 August at the Beijing National Aquatics Center. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of... |
21 | |||||
| 800 metre freestyle | X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 800 metre freestyle The women's 800 metre freestyle event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place between October 22 and 24. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 800 metre freestyle The women's 800 metre freestyle event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place between September 2 and 3. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 800 metre freestyle The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.During the competition, Rebecca Adlington broke the Olympic Record in a preliminary heat... |
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| 100 metre backstroke | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre backstroke The women's 100 metre backstroke event at the 1952 Olympic Games took place on 29–31 July at the Swimming Stadium. This swimming event used the backstroke... |
X Swimming at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre backstroke The women's 100 metre backstroke event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place December 5. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of two lengths of the pool.-Medalists:-Final:... |
X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre backstroke The women's 100 metre backstroke event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place between September 1 and 3. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of two lengths of the pool.-Medalists:... |
X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre backstroke The women's 100 metre backstroke event at the 1964 Olympic Games took place between October 13 and 14. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of two lengths of the pool.-Medalists:... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre backstroke The women's 100 metre backstroke event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place between October 22 and 23. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of two lengths of the pool.-Medalists:... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre backstroke The women's 100 metre backstroke event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place between September 1 and 2. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of two lengths of the pool.-Medalists:... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre backstroke The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.During the two preliminary heats, Kirsty Coventry broke first the existing Olympic Record, then the existing World Record. Thus, prior to the final heat, both records were different than what they had been before the... |
20 | ||||||
| 200 metre backstroke | X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre backstroke The women's 200 metre backstroke event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place October 25. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:-Final:... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre backstroke The women's 200 metre backstroke event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place September 4. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:-Final:... |
X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre backstroke The women's 200 metre backstroke event at the 1988 Olympic Games took place September 25. This swimming event used backstroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:-Final:... |
X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre backstroke The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Heat 1:-Heat 2:-Heat 3:-Heat 4:-Heat 5:-Semifinal 1:-Semifinal 2:-Final:* Q = Qualified, DSQ = Disqualified* WR = World Record, OR = Olympic Record... |
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| 100 metre breaststroke | X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre breaststroke The women's 100 metre breaststroke event at the 1968 Summer Olympics took place between October 18 and October 19. This swimming event used the breaststroke... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre breaststroke The women's 100 metre breaststroke event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place between September 1 and September 2. This swimming event used the breaststroke... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre breaststroke The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Schedule:All times are China Standard Time -Heats:-Semifinals:-Final:-References:... |
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| 200 metre breaststroke | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre breaststroke The women's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1952 Olympic Games took place between July 26 and 29, at the Swimming Stadium. This swimming event used the breaststroke... |
X Swimming at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre breaststroke The women's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1952 Olympic Games took place between November 29 and November 30. This swimming event used the breaststroke... |
X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre breaststroke The women's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place between August 26 and August 27. This swimming event used the breaststroke... |
X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre breaststroke The women's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1964 Summer Olympics took place between October 11 and October 12. This swimming event used the breaststroke... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre breaststroke The women's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1968 Summer Olympics took place between October 22 and October 23. This swimming event used the breaststroke... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre breaststroke The women's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place August 29. This swimming event used the breaststroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:-Final:... |
X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre breaststroke The women's 200 metre breaststroke event at the 1988 Olympic Games took place between September 20 & September 21. 43 swimmers contested this event.This swimming event used the breaststroke... |
X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre breaststroke The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Heat 1:-Heat 2:-Heat 3:-Heat 4:-Heat 5:-Heat 6:-Semifinals:-Final:-References:... |
20 | ||||||
| 100 metre butterfly | X Swimming at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre butterfly The women's 100 metre butterfly event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place on December 3 and December 5. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre butterfly The women's 100 metre butterfly event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place on August 29 and August 30. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre butterfly The women's 100 metre butterfly event at the 1964 Olympic Games took place on October 14 and October 16. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre butterfly The women's 100 metre butterfly event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place between October 20 and 21. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of two lengths of the pool.... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre butterfly The women's 100 metre butterfly event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place between August 31 and September 1. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke... |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 100 metre butterfly -Heats:Q = Qualified to Semifinal AS = Asian RecordAF = African Record... |
14 | ||||||||||||
| 200 metre butterfly | X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre butterfly The women's 200 metre butterfly event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place October 24. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre butterfly The women's 200 metre butterfly event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place September 4. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:... |
X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre butterfly The women's 200 metre butterfly event at the 1988 Olympic Games took place September 25.This swimming event used the butterfly stroke. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool.-Medalists:... |
X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre butterfly The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Heat 1:-Heat 2:-Heat 3:-Heat 4:-Heat 5:-Semifinal 1:-Semifinal 2:-Final:-References:... |
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| 200 metre individual medley | X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre individual medley The women's 200 metre individual medley event at the 1968 Summer Olympics took place October 20. This swimming event used medley swimming. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool. The first length was swum using the butterfly stroke,... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre individual medley The women's 200 metre individual medley event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place August 28. This swimming event used medley swimming. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool. The first length was swum using the butterfly stroke, the... |
X | X Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre individual medley The women's 200 metre individual medley event at the 1988 Olympic Games took place September 24. 36 individuals swam this event.This swimming event used medley swimming. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of four lengths of the pool... |
X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metre individual medley The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.- Heat 1 :- Heat 2 :- Heat 3 :- Heat 4 :- Heat 5 :- Semifinal 1 :- Semifinal 2 :- Final :- References :... |
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| 400 metre individual medley | X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre individual medley The women's 400 metre individual medley event at the 1964 Summer Olympics took place on 15–17 October. This swimming event used medley swimming. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of eight lengths of the pool... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre individual medley The women's 400 metre individual medley event at the 1968 Summer Olympics took place on 24–25 October. This swimming event used medley swimming. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of eight lengths of the pool... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre individual medley The women's 400 metre individual medley event at the 1972 Summer Olympics took place August 31. This swimming event used medley swimming. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of eight lengths of the pool... |
X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre individual medley The women's 400 metre individual medley event at the 1988 Summer Olympics took place between September 18 & September 19.This swimming event used medley swimming. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of eight lengths of the pool... |
X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre individual medley The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.-Heats:-Final:AF = African record-References:... |
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| 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay The women's 4×100 metre freestyle relay event at the 1952 Olympic Games took place on July 30 and August 1 at the Swimming Stadium. This swimming event used freestyle as a relay, with swimmers typically using the front crawl. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, each of the four... |
X Swimming at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay The women's 4×100 metre freestyle relay event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place on December 4 and 6. This swimming event used freestyle as a relay, with swimmers typically using the front crawl. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, each of the four swimmers completed two... |
X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay The women's 4×100 metre freestyle relay event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place on September 2 and 3. This swimming event used freestyle as a relay, with swimmers typically using the front crawl. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, each of the four swimmers completed two... |
X Swimming at the 1964 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay The women's 4×100 metre freestyle relay event at the 1964 Olympic Games took place October 14 — October 15. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming two lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:Heat 1... |
X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay The women's 4×100 metre freestyle relay event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place October 26. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming two lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:Heat 1Heat 2... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay The women's 4×100 metre freestyle relay event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place August 30. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming two lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:Heat 1Heat 2... |
X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay The women's 4×100 metre freestyle relay event at the 1988 Olympic Games took place September 22. The relay featured teams of four swimmers each swimming two lengths of the 50 m pool freestyle.-Medalists:-Heats:Heat 1Heat 2... |
X | X | X | X | X | 22 | ||||
| 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay | X | X | X | X | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 × 100 metre medley relay | X Swimming at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 x 100 metre medley relay The women's 4×100 metre medley relay event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place on August 30 and September 2 . This swimming event uses medley swimming as a relay. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, each of the four swimmers completed two lengths of the pool, each using a... |
X | X Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 x 100 metre medley relay The women's 4×100 metre medley relay event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place on October 17. This swimming event uses medley swimming as a relay. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, each of the four swimmers completed two lengths of the pool, each using a different stroke... |
X Swimming at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 x 100 metre medley relay The women's 4×100 metre medley relay event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place on September 3. This swimming event uses medley swimming as a relay. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, each of the four swimmers completed two lengths of the pool, each using a different stroke... |
X | X | X | X Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 x 100 metre medley relay The women's 4×100 metre medley relay event at the 1988 Olympic Games took place on September 24. This swimming event uses medley swimming as a relay. Because an Olympic size swimming pool is 50 metres long, each of the four swimmers completed two lengths of the pool, each using a different stroke... |
X | X | X | X | X | 13 | |||||||||||||
| Marathon 10 km | X Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's marathon 10 kilometre The women's marathon 10 kilometre event at the 2008 Olympic Games took place on August 20 at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park. It was a new event on the programme at the 2008 Games. The men's and women's marathon 10 kilometre races, unlike all of the other swimming events, were held in open... |
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| Events | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 |
Olympic records
The International Olympic CommitteeInternational Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
recognise the best performances in all 32 current pool-based swimming events at the Games as Olympic record
Olympic record
Olympic records are the best performances in a specific event in that event's history in either the Summer Olympic Games or the Winter Olympic Games...
s.
Medal table
| 1 |  United States |
214 | 155 | 120 | 489 |
| 2 |  Australia |
56 | 54 | 58 | 168 |
| 3 |  German Democratic Republic |
38 | 32 | 22 | 92 |
| 4 |  Hungary |
23 | 23 | 17 | 63 |
| 5 |  Japan |
20 | 21 | 21 | 62 |
| 6 |  Netherlands |
17 | 17 | 18 | 52 |
| 7 |  United Kingdom |
15 | 21 | 28 | 64 |
| 8 |  Germany |
13 | 18 | 28 | 59 |
| 9 |  Soviet Union |
12 | 21 | 26 | 59 |
| 10 |  Sweden |
8 | 14 | 13 | 35 |
| 11 |  People's Republic of China |
7 | 15 | 5 | 27 |
| 12 |  Canada |
7 | 13 | 20 | 40 |
| 13 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 10 | |
| 14 |  Russia |
5 | 5 | 5 | 15 |
| 15 |  France |
4 | 11 | 18 | 33 |
| 16 |  Ukraine |
4 | 5 | 1 | 10 |
| 17 |  Italy |
4 | 4 | 9 | 17 |
| 18 |  South Africa |
4 | 2 | 6 | 12 |
| 19 |  West Germany |
3 | 5 | 14 | 22 |
| 20 |  Romania |
3 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
| 21 |  Republic of Ireland |
3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 22 |  Denmark |
2 | 5 | 5 | 12 |
| 23 |  Zimbabwe |
2 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| 24 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | |
| 25 |  New Zealand |
2 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| 26 |  Austria |
1 | 6 | 4 | 11 |
| 27 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 12 | |
| 28 |  Brazil |
1 | 3 | 7 | 11 |
| 29 |  Greece |
1 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 30 |  Poland |
1 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 31 |  Belgium |
1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
 Costa Rica |
1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |
| 33 |  Argentina |
1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
 Bulgaria |
1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
| 35 |  South Korea |
1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
 Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia |
1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| 37 |  Spain |
1 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| 38 |  Suriname |
1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
 Mexico |
1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| 40 |  Tunisia |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 41 |  Slovakia |
0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 42 |  Finland |
0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 43 |  Cuba |
0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
 Norway |
0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| 45 |  Croatia |
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
 Serbia |
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
 Slovenia |
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 48 |  Philippines |
0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 49 |  Switzerland |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
 Trinidad and Tobago |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Venezuela |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 489 | 485 | 491 | 1465 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nations
| Nations | 4 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 33 | 45 | 42 | 51 | 52 | 51 | 41 | 67 | 77 | 92 | ||||||||||
| Swimmers | 19 | 76 | 32 | 100 | 120 | 116 | 118 | 235 | 380 | 405 | 468 | 532 | 471 | 333 | 494 | 633 | 641 | ||||||||||
Notable changes to the sport
Times have consistently dropped over the years due to better training techniques and to new developments in the sport.In the first four Olympics, competitions were not held in pools, but rather in open water (1896, the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
; 1900, the Seine
Seine
The Seine is a -long river and an important commercial waterway within the Paris Basin in the north of France. It rises at Saint-Seine near Dijon in northeastern France in the Langres plateau, flowing through Paris and into the English Channel at Le Havre . It is navigable by ocean-going vessels...
; 1904, an artificial lake; 1906, the Mediterranean). The 1904 Olympics' races were the only ones ever measured at yards, instead of the usual metres. A 100 metre pool was built for the 1908 Olympics and sat in the centre of the main stadium's track and field oval. The 1912 Olympics, held in the Stockholm harbour, marked the beginning of electrical timing.
Male swimmers wore full body swimsuits up until the 1940s, which caused more drag in the water than their modern swim-wear counterparts. Also, over the years, pool designs have lessened the drag. Some design considerations allow for the reduction of swimming resistance
Drag (physics)
In fluid dynamics, drag refers to forces which act on a solid object in the direction of the relative fluid flow velocity...
making the pool faster. Namely, proper pool depth, elimination of waves, elimination of currents, increased lane width, energy absorbing racing lane lines and gutters, and the use of other innovative hydraulic, acoustic, illumination, and swimwear designs.
The 1924 Olympics
1924 Summer Olympics
The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in Paris, France...
were the first to use the standard 50 metre pool with marked lanes. In the freestyle, swimmers originally dove from the pool walls, but diving blocks were incorporated starting at the 1936 Summer Olympics
1936 Summer Olympics
The 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
. The flip-turn was developed by the 1950s. Swimming goggles were first allowed in 1976
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
.
The butterfly stroke
Butterfly stroke
The butterfly is a swimming stroke swum on the breast, with both arms moving simultaneously. The butterfly kick was developed separately, and is also known as the "dolphin kick"...
events were not held until 1956. According to the rules before then, the butterfly stroke was allowed in the breaststroke
Breaststroke
The breaststroke is a swimming style in which the swimmer is on his or her chest and the torso does not rotate. It is the most popular recreational style due to its stability and the ability to keep the head out of the water a large portion of the time. In most swimming classes, beginners learn...
races - but then the contest rules were changed, abolishing the use of the butterfly stroke in the breaststroke races.
Women were first allowed the longer distance of 800 metres freestyle in 1968, which remains the longest distance for women. Up until then, women were considered to be too "delicate" to swim a race this long, even though the men had had the 1,500 metre freestyle from the very early years.
Both men and women were granted the 200 metre freestyle race in 1968, giving swimmers an intermediate distance race between 100 metres and 400 metres.
Women's teams were first granted the 800 metre freestyle relay race in 1996 - even though there had been a men's relay race at that distance since 1912. At six Olympiads, the men had two freestyle relay races, but the women only had one. Now, both sexes have two.
The medley relay races (4×100 metres) were not held for men or for women until 1960, but they have continued in every Olympiad since then.
See also
- List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)
- List of Olympic medalists in swimming (women)
- List of Olympic venues in swimming
External links
- Swim Rankings results