About
Competitive swimming has been an Olympic sport since 1896, though organized swimming competitions date to England in the early 19th century. The sport has been transformed by technology: the 1999-2009 era of polyurethane 'super suits' (LZR Racer, Jaked) produced 166 world records in a single year before being banned in 2010; the humble flip turn (introduced 1950s) reduced race times by 2-3 seconds per turn; and underwater dolphin kicking (from breaststroke) became the 'fifth stroke' when swimmers discovered it was faster than surface swimming.
Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history: 23 gold medals, 28 total — more than most countries. His wingspan (6'7") exceeds his height (6'4"), his chest produces more lactic acid than average, and his double-jointed ankles allow a 15° greater foot flexion. The 400 IM is considered the most physically demanding Olympic event — requiring mastery of all four strokes across 400 meters. Katie Ledecky's world records in the 800m and 1500m freestyle are so fast they exceed the men's world records from less than 20 years ago.
# Top 10 swimming facts
- 1Phelps (23 gold medals)
- 2polyurethane suit scandal (166 WR in one year)
- 3butterfly stroke invented 1952
- 4flip turn (2-3 sec/turn saved)
- 5dolphin kick as 5th stroke
- 6FINA suit ban (2010)
- 7open water swimming (Olympic 2008)
- 8Ledecky dominance
- 9Ian Thorpe (size 17 feet)
- 10Mark Spitz (7 gold medals, Munich 1972)
Fascinating Facts
- ◆In 2008-2009, polyurethane swimsuits (which reduced drag and increased buoyancy) produced 166 world records in a single year — before being banned by FINA in 2010; records set in that era have stood for 15 years because they were set with suits that approximated wetsuits
- ◆Michael Phelps's physical attributes include a 6'7" wingspan on a 6'4" body, double-jointed ankles allowing 15° more foot flexion than average, legs proportionally short relative to torso (reducing drag), and the ability to produce and clear lactic acid faster than normal athletes
- ◆The underwater dolphin kick — discovered when swimmers realized undulating underwater was faster than surface swimming — led to the 15-meter rule (swimmers must surface within 15 meters of walls) because otherwise races would be conducted mostly underwater
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