Swimming is one of the few sports to be involved in every Olympic Games in the modern era.
Betting markets are plentiful for swimming fans year-round, with each event containing a huge number of disciplines.
There are vast numbers of medals available at the Olympics, which can lead to some extraordinary medal hauls for the very best swimmers in the world.
One example, of course, is Michael Phelps, the greatest Olympian of all-time. Phelps had delivered some live betting drama but was often a foregone conclusion ahead of the medal races.
History
The earliest records of competitive swimming are from England in the 19th century. In 1828, the first indoor swimming pool was opened, and nine years later, regular swimming competitions were being held in London.
By 1880, there were over 300 clubs around the UK. A pair of Native Americans introduced frontcrawl in the first part of the 19th century, and the stroke was first used competitively almost 30 years later.
Germany, France, and Hungary followed in setting up swimming federations before the start of the 20th century. European amateur swimming competitions were held in 1889, with the first women’s competition three years later.
Men competed at the Olympics from 1896 onwards. Women joined the Olympics in 1912. Butterfly was first developed before the Second World War, yet was only accepted as its own stroke in the 1950s.
The number of Olympic swimming events has gradually increased over the years. The 2020 Games saw the most swimming events of all-time with 37 after three consecutive Games with 34 events.
Rules
Competitive swimming is generally competed in a 50-metre pool. This is known as ‘long course’ swimming. Olympic events are always in a 50-metre pool, aside from the marathon swim, which is conducted in open water (the River Seine will be used for this at the 2024 Paris Olympics).
The aim of a swimming race is to complete the required distance in the shortest possible time. Races are anywhere from 50 metres (one length) or 1500 metres (30 lengths).
A certain stroke is allocated for the race – freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly – apart from in a medley, when all four strokes are used.
In freestyle, breaststroke, and butterfly events, swimmers begin from an elevated platform. The starter will shout ‘take your marks’.
Once they are still, a siren will sound to start the race. The competitors then dive into the pool, and must have their head go above the water within 15 metres. A false start means a swimmer is automatically disqualified from the race.
Swimmers must make contact with the wall when they turn in every race. For butterfly and breaststroke, they need to connect with the wall with both hands. After the turn, swimmers must break the water with their head within 15 metres.
Scoring
Scoring in swimming is simply about the time it takes to complete a race. Swimmers cannot receive penalties – any transgressions result in a disqualification.
Breaking turn rules, false starts, using the lane line for momentum, and breaking the 15-metre rule at the most likely reasons for disqualification.
Pool Size & Dimensions
A long-course World Aquatics standard pool is 50 metres long, 25 metres wide, and has 10 lanes. There is a false start rope 15 metres from the end of the pool, along with backstroke turn indicators five metres from each end.
Olympic pools must have a depth of at least two metres. Starting blocks will be placed at both ends of the pools, and there will be automated timing equipment to give precise times for each racer.
Equipment
A swimsuit, goggles, and a swim cap is all that’s required to take part in a swimming race. The swimsuit should be designed in a way to limit the amount of resistance. The cap serves the same purpose, while the goggles help to see when swimming underwater.
Obviously, elite swimmers have various other pieces of training equipment.
Most Successful Countries at the Olympics
The United States are by far the most successful country in Olympic swimming. Their 580 total medals are more than double of any other country. In fact, they have more golds (257) than any other country has total medals.
Australia is second in the all-time medal table at 213. They are the only other country with more than 92 Olympic medals. Japan and Great Britain are third and fourth in total medals, respectively.
Michael Phelps, with 28 total medals, is the most decorated Olympian. Jenny Thompson (12 total medals, eight golds) is the most decorated female swimmer at the Olympics ahead of Katie Ledecky and Emma McKeown.
