2008 Summer Olympics - Swimming, Water Polo, and Synchronized Swimming
By Mat Luebbers, About.com Guide to Swimming
Who will swim away with the Olympic Gold medals in Beijing? Swimmers, water polo players, and synchronized swimmers will be in Beijing's swimming pools (and in the rowing basin in the case of the 10k swimming marathon) as they compete to see who is the best in the world during the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Swimming - Aug. 9-17 and 20-21
While the number of events swam at the Olympic games is less than those raced at the world championships, the Olympic games are still considered the most important swimming championships at the world level. Swimmers will compete for the gold, silver, and bronze medals in a variety of swimming events, from 50-meter freestyle races to the 10-kilometer open water race.
- Olympic Swimming Headquarters
- Swim Schedule and Results for Top Swimmers
- Medal Count for Olympic Swimming
- The Basics of Olympic Swimming
- Top American Olympic Swimmers
- The Top Medal Contenders - Men
- The Top Medal Contenders - Women
- The Beijing Water Cube - The Olympic Swimming Pool
- The Rowing Basin - Venue for the 10k Marathon Swim
- Great Moments in Olympic Swimming
Water Polo - Aug. 10-24
Olympic Water Polo is a fast, exciting competition. Men's and women's teams from around the globe qualify for the Olympic Tournament, with the winning team earning bragging rights for the next four years.
- Olympic Water Polo Headquarters
- Men's Water Polo Schedule and Results
- The Basics of Olympic Water Polo
- USA Water Polo Olympic Teams
- Women's Water Polo Schedule and Results
- Ying Tung Natatorium - The Water Polo Pool
- An Illustrated History of Water Polo
Synchronized Swimming - Aug. 18-23
Synchronized Swimming is a women's only sport at the Olympic level. Synchro swimmers are incredible athletes; they have strength, endurance, grace and rhythm, and must hold their breath for long periods of time while performing intricate, coordinated dance movements in the swimming pool.
