The swimming competition in the Olympic games is one of the most followed part of the Summer Olympics. 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.
From swimsuits to drug use, Olympic swimming has had controversies. Michelle Smith, Dawn Fraser, and entire countries have been involved in scandals that have, in small or large fashion, tarnished swimming.
Some of the great moments in Olympic Swimming history, from Alfred Hajos to Misty Hyman. Am I missing some? Let me know!
So you have Olympic Swimming dreams? GREAT! Not many make it, but if you never try, you never will! The first step is to get swimming. You could join a local swim team with your park and recreation department, school, YMCA, or a USA Swimming club.
What is Olympic swimming? It is one of the most watched Summer Olympic sports. Olympic swimming is also one of the oldest Olympic events. Olympic swimmers must use one of four different swimming styles or techniques (or all four strokes in some races) to swim a certain distance. The fastest swimmer wins the Olympic Swimming gold medal.
Illustrated History of Olympic Swimming
From swimsuits to drug use, Olympic swimming has had controversies. Michelle Smith, Dawn Fraser, and entire countries have been involved in scandals that have, in small or large fashion, tarnished swimming.
Greatest Moments in Olympic Swimming History
Olympic Swimming Rules, Judging, and Officials
Swim fans, you can download the AT&T - USA Swimming Desktop Communicator, which includes an RSS news feed and is customizable to provide users with breaking U.S. swimming news, bringing swimming fans anytime, anywhere access to the sport as top competitors gear up for Olympic competition next August in Beijing.
To become a U.S. Olympic swimmer, you must meet an Olympic Trials qualifying time standard set by USA Swimming, then compete at the U.S. Olympic trials. The maximum allowable team size is 52, 26 men and 26 women. Each country is given two slots in each of the 26 individual events and one spot in each of the six relays. To be eligible to compete, athletes must meet an Olympic time standard.
Pictures of Olympic swimemrs in the pool and on land, from US Olympic Team.com.
Biographies of current, future, and legend Olympic swimmers from the US Olympic Team site.
USA Swimming's National Team plan for the remainder of the quadrennium leading up to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The plan is highlighted by two annual national championships. One in the summer for long course events (50-meter pool), and one in the fall for short course events (25-yard pool), as well as several international meets.
USA Swimming and the U.S. Olympic Committee today named Eddie Reese (Austin, Texas) as head coach of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Mens Swimming Team and Jack Bauerle (Athens, Ga.) as head coach of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Womens Swimming Team. Both appointments were announced by Mark Schubert, USA Swimmings National Team head coach and general manager, at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Your Road to the Olympic Swim Team - How to Become An Olympic Swimmer