Trivia, Odd Facts, and Interesting Tidbits of Information About Swimming

Plunge for Distance was a short-lived Olympic event. Contestants began with a standing dive into a swimming pool where they remained motionless for 60 seconds or until they ran out of breath. The length of their dive was then measured. The event was introduced at the St Louis Games of 1904 and the gold medal went to William Dickey of the United States with a modest plunge of 19.05 metres. Americans filled all five placings. After that the event plunged deep into obscurity and was never held again. More swimming trivia...