One of the most popular sports of the modern Olympic era, swimming events originally took place in the sea, later moving to pools in 1924. Women's events were added to the Olympics in 1912. For the first time in Olympic history, all aquatics events will take place in one single venue in Athens.
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COMPETITION
Swimmers compete in events requiring the use of one of four strokes — backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly or freestyle. Each race has a maximum of eight swimmers.
Medley events
All four strokes are swum at equal distances in the individual medley events. In the team medley relay, each team member swims a different stroke.
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Moving ahead
Preliminary heats lead to semifinals and finals based on the fastest times. In relays and individual events of 400 meters or more, the eight fastest swimmers in the preliminaries advance directly to the finals.
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The pool
The center eight lanes are used for competition, with the outside two lanes empty to help buffer wave action.
Different strokes
Freestyle — The stroke is characterized by the alternate overhand motion of the arms and flutter kicks with the body in a streamlined, horizontal position.
Backstroke — Swimmers use an alternate motion of the arms and flutter kick while on their back, except during turns.
Breaststroke — Hands are pushed forward from the breast and brought back simultaneously while the legs thrust in a "frog" kick.
Butterfly — The most demanding stroke, it features an overhead arm stroke combined with a dolphin kick — both legs moving together up and down.
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Down and back
Swimmers must be in a down position and remain still before the official signals the start of the race by gun or electronic tone.
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Sources: International Olympic Committee; Athens Olympic Committee; "Competitive Swimming Manual for Coaches and Swimmers," James E. Counsilman; "Swimming & Diving," American Red Cross; "Sports: The Complete Visual Reference," Fran'ois Fortin; International Association of Athletics Federations; Summer Games Access; Mondo spa/Mondo USA; USA Volleyball; International Volleyball Federation; "The Complete Book of the Summer Olympics," David Wallenchinsky
