Swimming has been part of the Olympic Summer Games program since 1896. Alongside athletics, it is one of the sports with the most medals awarded, with a total of 37 events and 111 medals distributed. Olympic swimming also attracts one of the highest numbers of participants and generates substantial viewer interest during the Games. But what are the rules governing swimming at the Olympics?
History of Olympic Swimming
Aquatic sports were part of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, with four events, including the 100-meter freestyle, won by Hungarian swimmer Alfréd Hajós. Hajós is recognized as the first Olympic swimming champion. Olympic swimming’s history includes various unique events that are no longer part of the Games, such as:
- The 100-meter event exclusively for sailors
- Underwater swimming
- The 200-meter obstacle course
These early events were held in open water, such as Zéa Bay in 1896, the Seine in 1900, and a lake in 1904. By 1908, a swimming pool was constructed for the Games, hosted at London’s White City Stadium, where the 100-meter-long pool was first used for competitions.
Over the years, Olympic swimming has evolved, moving away from a sense of roulette where unpredictable factors like tides, currents, and water temperatures influenced outcomes in open-water events—toward a more controlled environment in pools. The establishment of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in 1908 aimed to standardize these events, ensuring that all athletes compete under equal conditions. This evolution also led to the exclusion of certain early events, as well as a shift in how times were recorded, allowing for highly precise timing down to hundredths of a second, first introduced at the 1932 Los Angeles Games.
Initially, women faced resistance in participating in Olympic swimming, but in 1912, events for women were introduced, and Fanny Durack became the first female Olympic swimming champion, winning the 100-meter freestyle. Women’s events remained limited until 1964, gradually increasing, reaching 15 events in 1968 and expanding again in 2008 with the 10-kilometer open water race.
In the 1996 Atlanta Games, the women’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay was added. Later, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics introduced the men’s 800 meters, the women’s 1500 meters, and a mixed 4×100-meter medley relay. This led to complete gender parity, with equal events for men and women: 17 events each, plus the mixed relay.
Types of Olympic Swimming Events and Rules
The Olympic Games feature various swimming events, each with specific rules and techniques:
Breaststroke
In this event, swimmers move while on their stomachs, with coordinated arm and leg movements. Swimmers keep their heads alternating between underwater and above water. Breaststroke is popular for its simple turn rules; swimmers must touch the wall with both hands simultaneously, a requirement that also applies at the finish.
Butterfly
The butterfly event covers distances of 50, 100, and 200 meters. Swimmers must start with a dive and maintain a position with their shoulders parallel to the water. This technique demands significant arm strength to succeed, adding to the challenge.
Backstroke
Backstroke requires precise arm movement coordination and spatial awareness, as swimmers face backward and cannot directly see the finish line. They can locate their position by counting arm strokes and spotting markers, such as the five-meter line. This event also requires swimmers to kick both legs quickly and consistently for propulsion.
