Swimming – Summer Games 2024

At the Summer Games, the swimming events consist of individual and relay events in four strokes: breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke, and freestyle. The distances also vary, with different skills needed for a 50m race to a 1,500m race. Explosive speed, endurance, power, and technique are all essential qualities for swimmers.

Schedule

Records

Michael Phelps' Medal Haul:

American swimmer Michael Phelps holds the record for the most Games gold medals won by an individual in swimming. His incredible career includes 23 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals across four Summer Games (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016).

Katie Ledecky's Dominance:

American swimmer Katie Ledecky has been a dominant force in women's distance swimming. She holds multiple world records in events like the 400m, 800m, and 1500m freestyle, and has consistently performed at the highest level in the Summer Games.

Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay - 2008:

The Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay at the 2008 Beijing Summer set a world record that stood for nearly a decade. The relay team from the United States, featuring Michael Phelps, set the record with a memorable performance.

Women's 4x100m Medley Relay - 2012:

The Women's 4x100m Medley Relay at the 2012 London Games witnessed the United States breaking the world record. The American team, including Missy Franklin and Allison Schmitt, set a new standard in the medley relay.

Adam Peaty's Breaststroke Dominance:

British swimmer Adam Peaty is known for his dominance in men's breaststroke events. He holds the world record in the 100m breaststroke and has been a consistent gold medalist in major competitions, including the Games.

Did you know that..

1. American swimmer Mark Spitz made history at the 1972 Munich Summer by winning seven gold medals. His record-breaking performances in events like the 100m and 200m freestyle and butterfly set a benchmark for excellence.

2. Hawaiian swimmer Duke Kahanamoku, a multiple-time Games gold medalist in the early 20th century, is often credited with popularizing the sport of surfing. He remains an iconic figure in both swimming and surfing history.

3. Swimmers like Dara Torres and Anthony Ervin have demonstrated that age is not a barrier in the sport. Torres, at the age of 41, won silver at the 2008 Games, while Ervin, in 2016, became the oldest individual Games gold medalist in swimming at the age of 35.

4. Swimmers who excel in both butterfly and freestyle events showcase a unique combination of power and speed. Achieving success in both strokes requires a versatile skill set, as seen in the performances of legendary swimmers like Michael Phelps.

5. Michael Phelps is widely regarded as one of the greatest butterfly swimmers in history. His dominance in the 100m and 200m butterfly events contributed significantly to his Games success.